What Happened?
June 2003 – EU Summit
The EU summit in Thessaloniki, Greece, sees huge mobilisations from anti-globalisation movements around the world. Aggressive police repression leads to over a hundred arrests, of which 29 are charged. Countless more protestors are badly injured, many hospitalised, by rubber bullets and baton charges. Out of 29 activists charged, most are released on bail in the days following the protests. The remaining 7 prisoners are remanded awaiting trial.
October 2003 – Solidarity with the Hunger Strikers
The prisoners begin hunger strikes demanding to be released from remand. Solidarity campaigns form around the world, against prisons and in support of the Thessaloniki 7. Literally hundreds of actions take place. The hunger strike continues until the 27th November when they are released on bail awaiting trial. Some of the remanded have at this point been refusing food for as long as 63 days.
February 2004 – Charges Dropped
In 2004 all charges are dropped in view of the overwhelming evidence in support of the defendants. Those who are not from Greece are finally allowed to leave the country.
Autumn 2005 – Charges Reinstated
The prosecutor of Thessaloniki appeals against the earlier decision to the drop the charges. Legal arguments continue for more than two years, and a trial date is finally set.
January 2008 – First Trial
The first trial takes place and finds the defendants guilty and passes sentences of between four and eight and a half years for charges including distinguished and repeated rebellion, possession of explosives, resisting arrest, and causing explosions.
September 2010 – Second Trial Adjourned
The second trial is adjourned until January 2011.
14 January 2011 – Second Trial Will Start
Out of the original Thessaloniki 7, 3 have so far had their cases resolved with sentences ranging from 4 to more than 8 years. The remaining four defendants are:
Simon Chapman, Britain
Suleiman “Kastro” Dakdouk, Syrian origin
Michaelis Triakapis, Greece
Fernando Perez Gorraiz, Spain
Monday 15 November 2010
Saloniki Solidarity
