Violent repression of the Greek Anarchist and Anti-Authoritarian Movement

We the Greek Anarchist and Anti-Authoritarian Movement are calling on all comrades internationally to take action in support of us. Over the last few weeks, the state, police, courts and media have stepped up their campaign of violent repression against our movement resulting in the arrest frame-up and imprisonment of many of our comrades here in Thessaloniki and Athens. The media have remained silent about the treatment of our comrades but are only too pleased to report the response we give to that treatment. The occasional riot. We have only ourselves to publicise the repression presently taking place and urge all comrades internationally to publicise our case.

Anarchist prisoner K. Kalaremas is presently on hunger strike (since 11/10/95) to protest about his frame-up for armed robbery on a bank. The only evidense against him was his co-accused (Angelidis), who named him under intense “interrogation” and a bank employee who was brought to the police station to identify him. The police raided Kalaremas’s flat and found no evidence. Kalaremas is presently seriously ill in a prison hospital. Many other comrades are also rotting in prison cells because of state frame-ups.

14th November (Thessaloniki). 150 Anarchists attempt to march in support of the political prisoners (specifically Kalaremas) but the riot police (SPG) start clubbing the demonstrators arresting 4 and holding them (see later).

After this attack by police, the demonstrators occupy the Theology Department in the University and call for support for the occupation through the anti-authoritarian radio stations “Radio Utopia” and “Radio Kivotosu”. Support arrives and demonstrators begin to gather outside the building with a PA system and handing out leaflets informing the punblic about what is going on. The police attack the demonstrators, the demonstrators run and eventually the police attack is repelled by demonstrators waiting in the University grounds with molotov cocktails.

NOTE: Since the polytechnic uprising in 1973 against the regime, in which many were killed, the police have been banned from entering university premises.

The police then surrounded the area, stopping everyone entering and questioning them. It is obvious that the forces of the state have decided to repress any attempt by anarchists and anti-authoritarians to demonstrate, distribute propaganda etc.

A student march organised for 16th November is warned by the police that if they don’t distiguish themselves from the “subversive elements and don’t stop shouting insulting slogans at the police, their demo will be attacked”. The Theology squatters intended to end their occupation on the 16th to coincide with the court appearance of the 4 arrested on the 14th but also to join the student demonstration.

The left wing students demonstration decides to comply with the police demands, and walk some 100 yards behind the Theology Squatters.

November 17th the traditional polytechnic uprising commemoration takes place with a huge show of strength from the Anarchists who have by far the biggest contingent of the Thessaloniki march (over 1000). Despite provocation by the riot police, the anarchists have already decided not to respond, show to the public and the rest of the left that they are not just what the media portray “10 masked men”.

November 18th the court case starts of the 4 arrested on the attempted demo. It is clear from the very beginning that the case was stage managed. The attorney was the same person who signed the orders to attack the demonstration on the 14th. The president of the courts’ is the chief of police in the powerful Toumba district of Thessaloniki (headquarters of Thessaloniki police) All suggestions by the defence (fines suspension) were rejected. the case continues on Monday 20th. Two of the accused Paris Sofos and Ilias Hutzilyadis weresentenced to 3 1/2 years, Yiannis Anagnosou (who was given 6 stitches in the head after the demo)to 2˝ years. Sofia Kiritsi, who was brought from the hospital to the court after injuries to her head and neck, still awaits her sentence. All these people had done was to attempt to walk on the road.

All were charged with:

• Swearing at authority
• Resistance against authority
• Stance against authority by co-ordinated action.

As the supporters of the accused left he court room, the riot police surrounded then and started clubbing and kicking them. They attempted to arrect one person, unsuccessfully.

On 23rd November we organise a well attended march of around 1500 people against state repression and for the release of the prisoners. Although the riot police line the sides of the march we manage to distribute thousands of leaflets and generally receive a positive response from the public. The leaflet called on all those who daily face repression and exploitation to rise against their oppressors, because if we do not now, the hand of the state will squeeze us tighter. The police did not attack this march.

ATHENS AND THE BREAKING OF THE UNIVERSITY ASYLUM

November 17th on the commemoration of the olytechnic uprising, the TV cameras were placed in a central position to record faces with the protection of the police. They did not expose the police violence on the day.

Some 1700 people were forced to take refuge in the Polytechnic, to escap ethe use of chemicals used on the demonstrators. The police continued their attack, surrounding the building and refusing entry to doctors and ambulances wishing to attend the injured inside. Those inside the building tried to negotiate peacefully to leave (children were also inside). They were refused. According to the head of the university the police wanted to break the 1974 asylum. During the night negotiations took place between the head of the university and the Ministry of Police. No-one wanted to take responsibility for breaking the asylum. At 8.00 am the police violently broke the curfew arresting 504 people, placing them into categories: under age, students, workers. 136 people were charged, followed by house raids, including the building which holds the anarchist archive which the police took with them.

On the day of the arrests over 1000 people marched in Athens.