Repression – Page 37

UK: Statement from anarchist prisoner Toby Shone 10th May 2022

Posted on 2022/05/11 by darknights

Statement from Toby Shone
10th May 2022

Thanks to all those who came to express their solidarity and rage at Bristol Crown Court on Friday. After 15 months of solitary confinement, it was the most amount of comrades I had seen in a long time. Your strength and warmth stays in my heart.

This was a major defeat and humiliation for the anti-terrorist prosecutors and police, but we should not rest easy. A state methodology has been put together which they will use to attack others in the anarchist space when they can.

Operation Adream is also still not closed and so we should remain ready. There are many lessons to be learnt here and a more complete analysis will come out in time.

I am due for release in late December and will be on license until November 2024. The prison Offender Management Unit (OMU) confirmed to me that the anti-terrorist units still intend to keep me under surveillance after my release. I am sure they will try to take revenge, but with the love and complicity of all the comrades, we’ll turn up the heat. Liberty and discord are one and the same. Always unrepentant, always anarchist.

Nothing is over, everything continues.

Source: Act for freedom now!

Italy: Against 41 bis, revolutionary solidarity with anarchist Alfredo Cospito

Posted on 2022/05/09 - 2022/11/16 by darknights

Thursday, May 5, the imprisoned anarchist Alfredo Cospito received notification of the provision against him of the penitentiary regime of 41 bis. At the moment Alfredo is still detained in the prison of Terni, in the dedicated section. We do not know if this is a provisional destination and if it will be followed by a transfer to another institute. The decree has been ordered, as foreseen by the law, directly by the Minister of Justice Marta Cartabia, former president of the Constitutional Court. Let us recall, very briefly, that 41 bis is a particularly afflictive penitentiary regime, which provides, in order to prevent any form of communication, isolation, absence of sociability and any internal activity, silence, censorship of correspondence, one hour of monthly meetings with the glass partition and the “intercom”, then the recording of the meeting itself, 10 minutes of phone calls per month with an authorized family member forced to call from inside a Carabinieri barracks. Inmates are forbidden to receive newspapers and books, most correspondence is blocked in advance because of its contents, moreover, it is not possible to buy newspapers and there is a strong limitation in the availability of objects inside the cell (books, clothes, food, paper and pen are limited).

It is not the first time that such a measure is applied to revolutionaries, in 2006 four prisoners of Brigate Rosse were interned in such facilities (one of them, Diana Blefari, committed suicide in October 2009, shortly after being declassified from 41 bis). This is a precedent that, despite the mobilizations, has not yet been disarticulated.

In these first hours of anger, we must dwell on two issues.

On the one hand, we note the personal, physical attack on an anarchist comrade who in these ten years has never lowered his head: a comrade who claimed to have shot in the legs the CEO of Ansaldo Nucleare, Mr Adinolfi. The fact that Alfredo could not be isolated and his revolutionary contribution silenced was a thorn in the side for investigators. This has led in recent years to further restrictive measures against him, such as the censorship of correspondence and the serving of an arrest warrant in prison for Operation Sibilla on November 11, through which the repressive forces have attempted to remove from circulation a newspaper and publications that over the years have reported the articles and contributions of the comrade. We must make Alfredo feel the solidarity of a movement that is not tamed, that has not forgotten him, that does not leave him alone; we must make sure that this solidarity breaks the bans and breaks the isolation. Continue reading “Italy: Against 41 bis, revolutionary solidarity with anarchist Alfredo Cospito” →

Bristol, UK: Anarchist comrade Toby Shone’s SCPO was rejected by the court!

Posted on 2022/05/06 - 2022/05/09 by darknights

To the wild celebrations in the public gallery, the presiding judge rejected the application for anarchist comrade Toby Shone’s Serious Crime Prevention Order, declaring there were no grounds for it to be applied under the circumstances. Shouts of ‘Not one step back!’ were responded to with Toby shouting ‘The Revolution is inevitable!’

The result of the court means that comrade Toby will now be released at the earliest in August of this year, if his application for electronic tag is permitted. It is highly likely that it will be refused. If refused, he will be released on December 28th 2022 on automatic halfway release. The extreme conditions of surveillance and control, that would have led to him not only being cut off from his comrades, but his family, friends and partner. It would have restricted his way of living, his ability to fuction as an anarchist, with many conditions that have been listed before, such as his use of electronic devices through to him having to declare who visits his residence. It would have lasted 5 years and could have been renewed. If it had been broken by Toby it would have led to him serving 5 years in the hellholes of the UK prison system.

The SCPO was a direct attack on Toby as an anarchist, his alternative way of living and his connections to those he is close to. It was clearly linked to the anti-terrorist cops attempting to apply repressive measures on him after the terrorist charges in his previous original trial were dropped.

The move by the anti-terrorist cops sets a new repressive environment on this prison island, that now just like in other European countries such as we have seen with the many repressive operations against comrades in Italy and Greece, that anarchists are deemed as terrorists by the state, that anyone daring to fight back against authority will be subject to such repression. Also it is clear that the British state wants to attack the connections, the affinities, the friendships, even love, of those they want to punish. This a similar vindictive tactic we have seen been used in other countries as well, such as the targetting of partners and family members of revolutionary organisation Conspiracy Cells of Fire members in Greece.

‘Operation Adream’, the repressive attack on Toby, on 325, is also an attack on the anarchist circles and alternative lifestyles as a whole. The years of imprisonment are piling up for those who dared to rebel during the Kill The Bill protest last year, that was attacked by cops and led to a riot. Those who live ‘off-grid’, from Roma/Gypsies/Irish travellers through to van or carvan or boat dwellers, along with squatters are also feeling the full force of British state’s, the Tories, Boris Johnson’s and Priti Patel’s repressive shaping of racist right wing ‘Build Back Better’ UK.

There is indeed a ‘storm coming on the horizon’ as comrade Toby mentioned, it is time for all of us who feel it to move towards it, to revolt against the destruction of our lives, our very existence.

This is only the beginning, ‘Nothing Is Over, The Conflict Continues!’

Some anarchists in solidarity with anarchist comrade Toby Shone

Athens, Greece: Responsibility claim for the attack on the MAT (riot squad) at Ch.Trikoupis

Posted on 2022/05/05 - 2022/05/05 by darknights

RESPONSIBILITY CLAIM FOR THE ATTACK ON THE MAT SQUAD IN CH.TRIKOPI

On Saturday 2/4 we chose to attack the MAT squad in front of the PASOK offices in Charilaou Trikoupis. The attack turned out exactly as we had planned where, with great ease and comfort, we arrived in front of the frightened eyes of the cops who started with quick steps backwards throwing tear gas from a distance, not having the possibility to do more.

The plan had two stages, with the first being to attack the cops at the PASOK offices with 30 Molotov cocktails and the second being to create fires in the surrounding streets simply as a demonstration and reminder of how easily we can be next to you.

While the second part of the plan was being implemented the DELTA/DRASI group made their appearance. Of course from our side there was no concern from their presence as their appearance was part of our planning and those comrades who had the role of attacking them attacked them. The reaction of DELTA/DRASI was to be expected, they stayed pinned to their motorbikes, sent from afar what they could send and did not take a single step to approach us. The mere sight of a few Molotov cocktails and the ready crowd, terrified them and awakened memories of old times. As a consequence of this fear, we were given the comfort of entering the Exarchia neighbourhood with the crowd of people without any problem. We then remained for some time in the surrounding alleys observing their movements for future attacks.

The choice of the Exarcheia neighborhood to carry out the attack was not accidental. The rebellious Exarcheia is a reference point for the antagonistic movement, a neighbourhood of politicisation, fermentation and insurgency. From the anti-dictatorial struggles and clashes of the Polytechnic uprising of ’73, the murder of comrade Michalis Kaltezas* and the Chemistry revolt of ’85**, the murder of the student Alexandros Grigoropoulos and the December 2008 uprising to the defence of our neighbourhood by groups of fascists and parastatals in the ridiculous Macedonia rallies of 18-19, Exarcheia has always been a place of freedom, comradeship and struggle for those who fight to overthrow the rotten reality of the state. Continue reading “Athens, Greece: Responsibility claim for the attack on the MAT (riot squad) at Ch.Trikoupis” →

UK: Two statements from anarchist prisoner Toby Shone

Posted on 2022/05/02 by darknights

First of May 2022

01/05/22

As a minimal gesture I refuse to eat from the prison servery to mark the Revolutionary 1st of May, to join in the demonstrations around the world using my body as a means of solidarity and to protest the denial of my correspondence by the security company G4S. I will not be isolated from my family, friends and comrades and I continue to define my anti-political convictions. Honour and dignity to all those who have fallen.

Remember Haymarket.

Toby Shone
G4S Parc, UK.

Statement for J11 International Day of Solidarity with Marius Mason & All Long-Term Anarchist Prisoners

“We will have to go to sea and embark on a journey into the unknown. It is up to us to choose the course from the march. We are free to make mistakes.” Gustavo Rodriguez – ‘Brief Informative Report About The Weather’.

An embrace of life, fire and complicity to all imprisoned anarchist comrades for this June 11th. I have been invited to participate by the comrades in North America, for which they have my thanks and agreement. Whilst I am not condemned to a particularly long sentence, I faced well over a decade at my trial last October in “Operation Adream” and next week I will go to trial again in Bristol on the 6th of May. This time the “anti-terrorist” prosecutors demand up to five years house arrest and special surveillance, which could see me returning to prison frequently. It also has a precedent for the rest of the anarchist space in the UK if the State is successful. International mobilisations are essential for learning about and combining our shared struggles. Opening a space for discussion and praxis enables us to escape the walls and barbed wire which divides and isolates us. I’m locked up for 23 hours a day in a solitary cell, subject to enhanced monitoring and censorship, categorised as “high risk” and placed on the “escape list”. I could not care less. I will leave this place without stepping back one millimetre.

“One who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” – F. Nietzsche.

There are storms gathering on the horizon.

Toby Shone

Written on the eve of Revolutionary 1st of May, 2022. G4S Parc, UK.

Source: Brighton ABC

Spain: Week of agitation for Gabriel Pombo da Silva and imprisoned anarchists

Posted on 2022/04/28 - 2022/04/28 by darknights

From May 2 to 8, a week of agitation for Gabriel Pombo da Silva and the imprisoned anarchists is called.

Week of agitation with Gabriel Pombo da Silva and anarchists in jail
Let’s break the silence.

Down with the prison walls and the society that needs them.

Source: IMC Barcelona

Belarus: Anarchists convicted in ‘Pramen case’

Posted on 2022/04/28 - 2022/05/06 by darknights

On April 22 the verdict was pronounced in the so-called “Pramen case”. Aliaksandr Bialou, Jauhen Rubashka, Artsiom Salavei were sentenced to 5 years in prison, another Artsiom Salavei – to 4.5 years. The gravamen is unknown, since the trial was held in camera.

Aliaksandr and Jauhen were arrested on July 29, 2021 and charged with participation in the 2020 protests. Two activists named Artsiom Salavei (namesakes) were detained a week later. While the investigation was going on, the anarchist media collective Pramen and its website and social networks were recognised as an extremist formation. The guys were accused of promoting extremist activities on behalf of the collective.

In 2020-2021 all of the defendants had already been detained for various protests and arrested for short terms. [Jauhen said he was tortured, with plastic bags over his head and beatings, while in custody; Attaque note.]

To write to them:

Evgeny Aleksandrovich Rubashko
SIZO-1, ul. Volodarskogo 2
220030 Minsk (Belarus)

Aleksandr Andreevich Belov (Aliaksandr Bialou)
SIZO-1, ul. Volodarskogo 2
220030 Minsk (Belarus)

(the address of the two Artsiom is not indicated on the site of the ABC)

Via: Attaque

Source: ABC Belarus

Bristol, UK: Soldarity Demo for imprisoned anarchist comrade Toby Shone, 6th May 2022

Posted on 2022/04/23 - 2022/05/02 by darknights

Greece: Thanos Chatziaggelou – During a witch hunt, pride is hidden in the fire beam

Posted on 2022/04/23 - 2022/05/18 by darknights

Thanos Chatziaggelou – During a witch hunt, pride is hidden in the fire beam

Since the first day of my arrest, I have consciously chosen to keep a consistent position and refused to cooperate with the prosecution and interrogation authorities. Every time I spoke, I did it to claim certain historical and political responsibilities. Responsibilities towards my individual and collective path in the acts of revolutionary violence, as well as towards two of my comrades, on whose names from the very first moment the anti-terrorist unit tries to personify the lost pieces of the puzzle of the so-called deracination of Anarchist Action.

In this case, beyond what is objectively true and what is a lie, the greatest danger lies behind the political goals of the anti-terrorist unit. So, what are the shocking pieces of evidence of the service, infamous for its methodical lies: A ridiculous anonymous phone call that names me personally as the one responsible for a set of arson attacks in the region of Thessaloniki (a phone call whose number I assume is going to be missed in the trial by the hackers of the service), surveillance of ambiguous quality and origin taken from my personal daily life, my arrest together with my companion Georgia Voulgari in the house of Panos Kalaitzis, where I had in my possession a set of confiscated items that are named as “arsenal” and two clear political statements: the common responsibility claim of one and only arson attack at the FNRC from me and my companion and my personal responsibility claim of being a member of the Anarchist Action. Continue reading “Greece: Thanos Chatziaggelou – During a witch hunt, pride is hidden in the fire beam” →

Athens, Greece: Attack on cops, in solidarity with Fotis D, Iasona R

Posted on 2022/04/20 - 2022/04/20 by darknights

Six months ago, two of our comrades fell into the hands of the state. On 14/11/2021, an attack on the Piraeus traffic police with the use of Molotov cocktails. A few kilometres away, in the area of Faliro, a blockade was set up by cops who tried to stop a motorbike with our comrades on board which they refused to stop. The immediate reaction of the uniformed cops was to chase the motorbike and a few meters later to ram them with the police car at high speed and risking their physical integrity. Then after the comrades were arrested, they were taken to the GADA (police HQ) where they were held captive without the possibility of contacting a lawyer or family. Early the next morning they entered their homes trying to find some evidence that would show that they were related to the aforementioned attack. Of course, the police thugs only succeeded in their own way to pass the climate of terror to the families of the two comrades and collect useless evidence (empty beer bottles, two computers, a bottle of paraffin oil, a juggling pole and a 1940’s antique gas mask) which were turned into evidence. The following days were followed by a farcical media farce which brought the courtroom before its time. After several days in custody, the two comrades were found to be in custody with an overblown indictment where the prosecutor-investigator’s only concern was to achieve the objective with no room for defence. The indictment given to them is : attempted manslaughter, arson, arson by association, explosion-construction and possession of incendiary and explosive materials , without any evidence to support it and since then they have been detained in the Vlora-Korydallos hellhouses.

The main dispute of the whole case and the sucking of the state and media, was to highlight the application of the new provision of the penal code where now the possession of Molotov cocktails is a felony with the possibility of imprisonment, as it was in this case, with the cronies of this society celebrating. For us, this is not something that seems paradoxical; the Mitsotakis government has shown and stated from the beginning of its mandate that targeting and suppressing the antagonistic movement is one of its primary objectives. One of its main pre-election promises, moreover, was the ‘cleansing’ of the institutions of higher education, as well as the tightening of the penal code.Therefore, we are not falling from the clouds when, in order to show a supposed political consistency in their speech, they send people to prison, let alone anarchists, who always create problems in the world of power.

Our solidarity with every appointed-imprisoned comrade is undivided and uninterrupted.We will always be with the oppressed and those who choose to resist impoverishment by any means and in simple or complex ways. So from our side on Thursday 12/4 we tried to be mentally next to our comrades by closing Patission Street and attacking passing police cars and the squadrons that they approached with stones, fire extinguishers, paints.

For every incarcerated person, hatred grows, COPS FASCISTS MURDERERS

Solidarity and immediate release of Fotis D., Iasona R.

Source: athens.indymedia