Tempe Case: Criminal charges against those arrested in Syntagma Collections – Solidarity rally planned – the press project

Intaution of Rouvikonas members Sparks Backlash

The 25 Rouvikonas members held will remain in prison until Tuesday, March 4, if their process is to be resumed. The group condemned their detention as politically motivated and explained:

“The process of the 25 members of Rouvikonas was postponed. The unprecedented fact is that our comrades will be held in custody by Tuesday due to mere offense. No national attack scary to us. The real criminals remain free, while those who demand justice for the victims of pace are locked up. “

Rouvikonas: “We are arrested, not those who are responsible for speeds.”

In an explanation, Rouvikonas called for further mobilization against what it describes as a state cover-up of the Tempre disaster:

“We took part in the Rallye at Syntagma and carried out a direct action in the offices of the Hellenic Train, the company directly for the crime. This company continues to benefit and operates a crumbling rail network that has no legal consequences. However, those who protest against these mass murder are those that are recorded in the cells of “democracy”. “

The collective also criticized the police tactics during the protests and denounced widespread arrests, including minors and people who were not connected by the demonstrations.

The Hellenic train intervention and the police react

On the morning of February 28th, Rouvikonas activists entered the Hellenic train offices and developed banners from the top floor of the building with black smoke as a symbol of grief. They stayed there for 30 minutes and sang slogans, who were cheered by demonstrators on the Syntagma Square.

Despite the strong police presence in the building, the officers stormed the balcony in the Riot equipment and removed the demonstrators violently.

“The police intervention on the roof was ruthless and could have led to deaths. If one of our members had fallen from the top floor, who would have been held responsible? “ the collective explained.

After their arrest, the activists were transferred and accused of having disrupted peace and violated the law against torches – fees submitted by Hellenic Train itself.

“Yes, you read that right. The company responsible for the Tempe Crime had the boldness to sue us. “

They also criticized the legal system and pointed out how the expansion of their detention with broader judicial policy is coordinated to suppress Dissens.

“The new reforms of the Criminal Code have led to harder prison policy before the procedure, which enables the judicial authorities to routinely refuse release in cases of offenses.”

Solidarity Rally for arrested demonstrators planned

A solidarity demonstration to support the arrested is planned for Tuesday, March 4, at 9:00 a.m. outside of the Evelpidon Court complex. The popular combat front “Electra Apostolou” is one of the groups that require mass participation and describes the arrests as part of a continuous state against dissent:

“On February 28, the people in Athens fought a massive fight against repression of the state. Thousands recaptured the streets and refused to delete the government's memory of pains. In response to this, the state unleashed brutal violence and mass arrests. “

“From activists in organized blocks to members of Rouvikonas who dared to hang up a banner in the Hellenic Train, repression was indiscriminately. The police even endangered life by attacking demonstrators on a roof. “

The group calls for the immediate release of the detainees and the dismissal of all charges and promises to continue the fight against the impunity of the state.

“Lift the charges – do the arrested!”

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