31 months of detention without trial, five weeks in hunger strike ---- Kostas Sakkas was
imprisoned without trial since his arrest on December 4, 2010. ---- The hunger strike
started in prison by Kostas Sakkas June 4, 2013 has not yet pulled the judicial
authorities to apply their own laws but managed to make public the issue of unfair trials,
arbitrary detention, measures and exception procedures become the de facto standard of
"Greek laboratory." ---- Kostas Sakkas, now aged 29, was arrested in Athens with five
other people at the exit of a leased premises that contained weapons. He was charged with
illegal possession of weapons and involvement in an unknown terrorist group. Thereafter,
in April 2011, a chef additional charge was added for participation known as "Conspiracy
of Cells of Fire" (CCF) group although his name is not mentioned in the act charge of the
trial has already taken place in 2011 and other ongoing procedures for specific activities
of this organization.
These counts have earned a temporary holding period of 18 months, which is the legal
maximum in Greece.
Kostas Sakkas claims to be an anarchist but denies membership CCF, that the latter group
has confirmed his side.
However, in April 2012, two months before the expiry of this period of detention, and even
before his trial began, he was again charged with the same charge for participation in 160
shares " Conspiracy of Cells of Fire ", and a further one-year detention was imposed,
bringing the total to 30 months. His lawyers challenged the legality of a new charge under
the same charge, but without effect.
's trial for this charge has not even started, but the Council of Judges of the Court of
Appeal has recently decided to extend the detention period of six months, contrary to the
Criminal Code, which clearly states that a second period of detention can not last more
than one year, or a total maximum of 30 months period ending June 3, 2013. Sakkas, who
began his hunger strike the next day so could go into all three years in prison without
trial, despite the fact that this decision explicitly violates the Greek law, the Greek
Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights, Rights.
Sakkas began a hunger strike on June 4 to demand his release and to protest against the
last extension of the detention period. His health deteriorated rapidly and he was
transferred to the General Hospital of Nikaia.
On June 25, the Court of Appeal dismissed his application for release. Sakkas has spent
nearly 31 months in prison with no trial has taken place or a trial date has been set.
Various information, denunciation and solidarity campaigns have been organized in recent
weeks on social media, in the streets, demanding the release of Sakkas.
His lawyers held a press conference Thursday, June 27 to explain his case, and a
demonstration of support was called in central Athens Saturday, June 29
The Greek government has once again breached its own laws and its constitution without
even trying to save face.
On Saturday, June 29, as part of the International Day of solidarity with Sakkas, a rally
followed by a march in Athens was attended by about 6,000 people. Note that before the
start of the event, three fascists were struck at two different points in the center of
Athens. One of them is an army officer and member of the neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn as
shown papers and membership book which had been found on him and stolen.
Since this relatively massive demonstration, solidarity campaign began to break
confidentiality, azu mobilize beyond the antagonistic / anti-authoritarian movement.
The opposition party SYRIZA (anti-liberal left) raised the issue in parliament, calling it
a pre-trial detention as long as "example of arbitrary justice." The government's
response, expressed through a press release of the majority coalition party, New
Democracy, does not bode well because it merely ask SYRIZA "stop supporting all kinds of
people accused of anarchism and terrorism. " The fact that political opinions such as
anarchism could become a charge has provoked protests, but New Democracy has not withdrawn
that statement.
The medical examination was made on July 4, or after 30 days of hunger strike, says that
after losing 13 pounds, more than 15% of its original weight, Sakkas exceeded the maximum
loss weight considered "safe" and that his bodily functions are now at risk of
irreversible damage. In addition, the report indicates that the continued hunger strike
will result with a "mathematical certainty" by "certain death."
The "Movement of Democratic Liberties and Human Rights of Our Time" (KEDDE for its
initials in Greek) launched Thursday, July 4 a petition for the release of Sakkas, and
collected hundreds of signatures in the first 24 hours and several thousand in least one week.
Meanwhile, the chief prosecutor, Ioannis Moraitakis, the same prosecutor, whose
recommendations led to the final six-month extension of imprisonment of Sakkas, proposed
to the Council of Judges of the Court of Appeal to reject the application release Sakkas.
The Council's decision is expected in the coming days.
Friday July 5 in the afternoon, a motorcycle event was organized in front of the General
Hospital of Nikea, a suburb of Athens where Sakkas is hospitalized, to demand his release.
Other demonstrations were called from Monday, July 8 before the Court of Appeal of Athens.
July 8, anarchists occupied the offices of the department of tourism of Heraklion in Crete
and a theater school in Thessaloniki.
July 10 in Athens, a rally in the tourist area at the foot of the Acropolis, with
distribution of leaflets in English to tourists, attracted about 200 people, but the
police motorcycle (brigades Delta) charged to "protect tourists "and arrested a dozen
people after beatings.
According to the doctor, Kostas Sakkas has now lost 20% of its body weight.
On 11 July, the Court of Appeal should normally decide on the request of lawyers Kostas
Sakkas.
The only acceptable decision: the immediate and unconditional release of Kostas Sakkas!
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