For Mutual Aid & Solidarity
May 19, 2023 is the date set for the beginning of the trial against the anarchist comrades Mónica Caballero and Francisco Solar accused of various attacks on power and the powerful. We call to unleash anarchist solidarity in the face of this new judicial lynching that the comrades will face.
Solidarity with Monica and Francisco!
Source: Publicacion Refractario
The police station of Huechuraba after the explosionBefore the preparation of the trial against Mónica and Francisco
On March 14, 2023 a series of hearings will begin in the so-called preparation for the oral trial against the anarchist comrades Monica Caballero and Francisco Solar. In this instance, which we expect to last a month, it will be decided which evidence will be brought to trial and which will not.
Both are accused of the explosive attack against the Tánica Building in the midst of the revolt (2020), while Francisco is accused of sending explosive packages against former Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpetter and the 54th police station (2019). The prosecution requests 30 years in prison against Monica and 129 against Francisco.
The comrades will be taken from the San Miguel prison and the Rancagua prison to the justice center for the first hearing, from then on, they will face this judicial instance telematically.
In this next step of the judicial process, it is still more necessary than ever to leave aside victimist speeches to open debates on the vindication and legitimacy of political violence in all its scales, not only from the applause in the box but from the concrete support and solidarity to those who face justice for such actions.
Without any room for indifference: Solidarity and complicity with those who attack the powerful and repressors!
Monica and Francisco to the streets!
Anarchist and subversive prisoners to the streets!
Source: Publicacion Refractario
Four years after the repressive operation Renata on February 19, 2019, we publish – not for an aseptic “exhumation” of recent history, but because these are texts that address the profound social and individual reasons for the anarchists’ thought and action – the statement of the seven comrades accused during the first-degree trial (“To Burning Hearts”) and a second statement distributed during the appeal trial. In addition, we believe it is important and necessary to find and disseminate the statements of comrades who, during the trials, take the floor continuing to support the ideas and practices of attack against the state and capital.
To burning hearts
Statement of the anarchists accused at the trial for Operation Renata
The anarchist does not look to success, to victory, to competition. He fights, because it is right. And in any struggle loss is part of life. He does not change his mind because he loses, much less give up the next struggle. The System is self-feeding because of the people who do not fight, not because they are invincible. The anarchist’s job is to instill in the people revolt, not in segments but continuous. Like a wave that recedes and then returns. You ask me if we will win? You ask me the wrong question. Ask me if we will fight and I will answer yes.
Luigi Galleani
Today we decided to have our say on the “Renata” operation. In other writings, the investigation has been analyzed, both in its general repressive aspects of the state and with regard to the technological, inquisitorial and legal tools used to hit those who still dare to fight for something different and still blow on the wings of freedom.
We have decided not to turn to the court that will try us nor to the diligence of our repressors. A courtroom is not the place where we choose to speak today.
We want to speak in those places where there is struggle, where there is still critical spirit, wherever there are women and men who are aware that so many things must be changed now, that this state of affairs must be revolutionized.
So we are going to talk about the actions that we are accused of or that are included in the investigation.
These actions-night or day, individual or collective-are part of a conflict that goes far beyond the specific facts or the territory in which they are located. They are the result of a broader clash, that between the exploited, the exploiters and those who defend them.
Of these actions we share the spirit, the ethics, the method, the goals, regardless of who carried them out. They speak for themselves, they are understandable to most, they point to a path – that of liberation. They point the finger at those who live by exploitation and war, hatred and violence, they wish for something more, something that will put an end to the worst atrocities and barbarities, but above all they aim to destroy the wall of resignation, in times so poor in human solidarity, rebellion, critical thinking.
Those who in recent years have said and still say that such actions serve no purpose, that the game is not worth the candle, that nothing will change, that human beings have permanently lost their wits by reducing life to a constant fratricidal war, have stopped dreaming, have stopped questioning those responsible for injustice and the causes that have brought society to a moral, environmental and material level that is disturbing to say the least. Continue reading “Italy: ‘To burning hearts’ Statement of the anarchists accused at the trial for Operation Renata”
On Feb. 13, the setting of the review hearing on precautionary measures was notified for comrades targeted for measures in the November 11, 2021 Sibilla repressive operation (including Alfredo Cospito, who has been on hunger strike for more than 120 days, and Gianluca, who is currently under house arrest in the Diamante investigation by the Genoa prosecutor’s office). The hearing is set for March 14 at the court in Perugia.
This second re-examination stemmed from the hearing held on June 22 in Rome at the court of cassation, which concluded by granting prosecutor Manuela Comodi’s request, thus annulling the previous order of the review court (which on Dec. 16, 2021 had resulted in the revocation of the precautionary measures). The court of cassation, in spite of what had been expressed by the attorney general (who had called for the rejection of the Perugian prosecutor’s appeal), had thus “exhumed” the investigation by annulling the revocation of the measures and ordering a new review hearing.
Operation Sibilla, carried out by the Carabinieri’s Special Operational Group and the Perugia prosecutor’s office under the coordination of the National Anti-Mafia and Counterterrorism Directorate, played a key role in the genesis and application of the 41 bis detention order for comrade Alfredo Cospito.
Eight comrades (including Alfredo himself), previously investigated by the ROS and the Milan Prosecutor’s Office in another case for 270 bis c. p. (subversive association for the purpose of terrorism and subversion of the democratic order) and 414 c. p. (incitement to commit a crime, with the aggravating factor of the purpose of terrorism) in connection with the editing, publication and distribution of the anarchist newspaper “Vetriolo,” had been the subject in September 2021, by the Perugia prosecutor’s office, of a request for precautionary measures in prison on the same charges, plus other charges for various reasons relating to additional articles, leaflets and documents, as well as wall writings and for one comrade to a damage to some Poste Italiane cars (Foligno, June 6, 2019) in solidarity with anarchist comrades on hunger strike over the closure of the High Security 2 section of the L’Aquila prison.
At the same time as this request for arrest, a three-month censure order on correspondence was ordered for comrade Alfredo Cospito, which was subsequently renewed several times. The reasons for this censure became clear only a couple of months later, when – with the November 11 operation – the Sibilla investigation “emerged” and PM Comodi’s original request was downgraded by the Judge for Preliminary Investigations. Thus, a new order established no longer eight arrests in prison but six precautionary measures in relation only to the charge of incitement to commit crimes with the aggravating factor of the purpose of terrorism: an arrest warrant for Alfredo Cospito (at the time imprisoned in Terni Prison); house arrest with all restrictions for a comrade from Spoleto; and an obligation to stay in the municipality of residence jointly with the obligation to sign three days a week for four comrades. In addition, other comrades turned out to be under investigation at large, countless searches were carried out, and two websites (roundrobin.info and malacoda.noblogs.org) were subjected to preventive seizure and blacked out (a practically unprecedented fact as far as the Italian-speaking anarchist movement is concerned), remaining unreachable to this day with conventional search engines. Continue reading “Italy: Update on Operation Sibilla: hearing set for Alfredo Cospito and other comrades under investigation at Perugia review court”
With a significant presence of comrades continued and was completed today the trial of our comrade Kostas K, for the 2007 attack on the vehicles of Minister Voulgarakis (until recently the Minister of Public Protection and with a recent transfer to the Ministry of Culture) and his entourage.
Despite the prosecution’s conviction, the comrade was acquitted by a vote of 5-2 (with the acquittal votes of the four jurors and the president).
Another episode of this ill-conceived hoax of dna excuses ended up in the trash bin, not even convincing those who fabricate them: the monkeys of state security and anti-terrorism.
No comrade is ever alone in the face of the state’s methods.
Solidarity is our weapon
Antifascist Network in the South
Source: athens.indymedia
The trial of Kostas K for the attack on the vehicles of Minister Voulgarakis and his police escort in July 2007 started on 18 January at the Mixed Jury, with the significant presence of comrades and women.
( https://athens.indymedia.org/post/1622704/ )
The proceedings started with the testimonies of cops (state security, Voulgarakis’ guard, the ministerial guard). Despite the fact that one of the subpoenaed cops (Voulgarakis’ personal bodyguard who had opened fire on the comrades who had carried out the attack) was not present, the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses were completed in an orderly manner, more deconstructing the indictment than adding anything to it.
Next came the defence witnesses: a biologist who thoroughly demonstrated the inconsistencies and inadequacy of the prosecution’s case, which has dna as its sole “evidence”, and a comrade-sister of Kostas K.
And while the comrade was preparing to apologize, the prosecutor practically interrupted the proceedings, calling for the forcible bringing in of the last cop witness to testify, hoping that in him the last lifeline could be found, in order to save the deconstructed indictment.
The next hearing set for February 14 (9am) will begin with the cop’s testimony, if he eventually attends. This will be followed by the “apology” of comrade Kostas K
To break the codes of repression
Solidarity with comrade Kostas K
Tuesday 14 February – 9am, MOD Degleri Street
Source: athens.indymedia
Athens: today 16/1/23, at the appeal trial court found not guilty.
Anarchist comrade Charis Mantzouridis was found not guilty today after being held in pre-trial incarceration for 14 months.
Another rigged trial by the state prosecution machinery, based on a dna sample, has been foiled.
Another trial has become a conviction of the state!
STRENGTH TO ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS
FREEDOM TO THOSE IN THE CELLS
UNTIL THE TERMINAL PRISON IS TORN DOWN
Source: athens.indymedia
Via & translated by Act For Freedom Now!
Support economically and politically the 4 persecuted comrades, who are under trial at 6 February 2023. The 4 anarchists are being persecuted, under “anti-terrorist” law, for participating in an allegedelly “terrorist” organization named “comrades”. No one alone against the state! International revolutionary solidarity!
The first solidarity banner for the 4 comrades, Exarcheia 10th March 2020. Banner, “In a world that human relationships are being criminalized, we are all comrades”
Chronicle of the prosecution
On March 8th and 9th 2020, after a state security operation three male and one female comrade are arrested. Τhe authorities’ sole piece of evidence was two cops having ‘visually’ identified the first arrested person on a video of the attack against the Mitsotakis* Foundation. The other three were arrested due to their friendly and comrade relationships. They now find themselves charged with an enormous case file which includes 55 attacks.
Based on the anti-terrorist Act 187A, they are charged with setting up and participating in an alleged terrorist organization under the name of “comrades” . The authorities are prosecuting the comrades based on attacks, actions and public addresses uploaded on counter-information platforms which had been signed using the term “comrades”. In this way, the police are attempting to bring any political action signed by “comrades” together under the umbrella of a collective terrorist organization.
A few words on the construct of the organization “comrades”, from the statement of the prosecuted female comrade in May 2020: /… / Behold then, the State, in its attempt to sell the ideological construct of “war against terrorism” fabricating organizations. They claim the terrorist organization they created by the name “comrades” to be a group that has acted since 2016 up to the present carrying out attacks in Athens. This reasoning goes beyond normality or reality in a way that can only be called ridiculous. In fact, the name of this infamous organization is but a sign-off used by the broader spectrum of anarchist/ antiauthoritarian groups for many years now. It was used, it is still being used and it will continue to be used. Anyone who searches can find hundreds of texts bearing the said signature all over Greece, most probably even abroad. This new stratagem, the use, that is, of a broader signature and its conversion into the name of a terrorist organization, is unprecedented and its only aim can be to “lump” together a wide, diverse and multi-faceted range of action on the part of the broader antiauthoritarian movement, as well as to terrorize all who belong there. It´s now the turn of the “solidary”, the “anarchists”, the “communists” to be called terrorist organizations and there’s no end to the lumping /…/ Continue reading “Greece: We are all comrades: Support the 4 persecuted anarchists EN/GR/FR/ES/DE”
Back in the distant 2007, at a time of underlying and subtle social processes that would culminate in the December 2008 uprising, the authorities were looking after one of their favourite children. George Voulgarakis, a member of the deepest party-apparatus of New Democracy and Minister of Public Order, is caught up in the maelstrom of phone tapping scandals and ‘disappearances’ of Pakistani migrants and refugees. The state, however, always takes care of its children and Voulgarakis goes on “vacation”, away from the “hot potato” of the Ministry of Public Order, taking over the “loose” Ministry of Culture.
But some people do not forget and do not forgive. At 10:00am on July 3, 2007, a few hours after Voulgarakis and his police escort arrived at the ministry on Bouboulinas Street, they were attacked by a group of twenty comrades, with Molotov cocktails and a bag full of gasoline canisters and camping gas canisters, that fell into Voulgarakis’ own vehicle. The policemen open fire on the comrades, only thus managing to make them retreat.
In the text in which they claimed responsibility, they state:
“The attack on Culture Minister G. Voulgarakis was carried out as a sign of solidarity with the imprisoned militants. The Minister of Culture was chosen because a representative of the government is always a target of militants, let alone when he has served as Minister of Public Order and his term of office has remained unforgettable. He was the political head of the Ministry of Order when he intercepted and monitored the conversations of hundreds of citizens through vodafone. He was the political head of the Ministry of Order and responsible for the abduction and interrogation of dozens of Pakistani migrants. Finally, under the orders of Voulgarakis and on the occasion of the robbery of the National Bank in January 2006, for which Yannis Dimitrakis is on trial on 6 July, the anti-authoritarian movement was subjected to one of the most furious assaults of recent years with pogroms, kidnappings, slander, smears and finally prosecutions of anarchists. Freedom to those imprisoned in the cells. Solidarity to all persecuted comrades. As for their shooting, deliberately at point blank range and not in the air, the cops had better be careful because such moves can be met with the same price.”
Continue reading “Greece: ‘To break the codes of repression’, Financial support for court expenses of comrade Kostas K. EN/GR”
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