haddock10 april 2008 – 10:02

Subject: Updated info about repression in Slupsk - pls. fwd

Update about police repression in Slupsk

On March 29, a large demo was held against the installation of a US missile base in Poland. Early the next morning, a person's house was raided and 23
people were arrested. Here are some of the details.

A group of people were at an after-party / concert. They returned back home at 4:30AM. They had been followed by the police.

At about 5:40 they came to the flat. Most of the people were sleeping. The people in the flat refused to let the police in because they had no warrant and there was no reason to do so. The police refused to go away so the resident of the flat went out to the corridor. After much insistance, he suggested that he could let one cop in the flat, just to see that people were sleeping and everything was OK. The cop instead was screaming something like "what the fuck are you telling me who can go in and who can't" and the resident of the flat was forced away from the door, knocked on the ground
and handcuffed. The cops then started forcing their way in, using tear gas.
The people in the flat tried to get the door shut and insisting that the cops identify themselves, but they were gassed.

The police came in, stomping over people who were still sleeping or lying on the floor. Some people were beaten, others handcuffed while still lying on the floor.

Some of the people who were sleeping in another room when the police arrived were charged with disturbing the peace at night and assaulting an officer.

The people arrested were not informed of the charges against them for 12 hours, despite repeated requests. They were not allowed to contact anybody (like a lawyer or parent) or see a doctor. Most of them were not offered anything to eat or drink for almost the whole day.

During questioning, police had information about other demonstrations printed out. They asked people about the demonstration and also about some previous ones. They were (falsely) told that if they complained or appealed their arrest they would spend the entire period waiting for a court decision in detention. The cops also used typical manipulation tactics like telling people that their friends already snitched on them.

In the end, 15 people were charged with disturbing the peace and 8 people were charged with offending and assaulting an officer. Each of those eight are forbidden to leave the country, have to be on parole and had to but up bail of between $120 and 200 USD. In Poland, court cases can take years, so it is a harsh punishment.

It's clear that this is just typical bastard behaviour from the cops and these people were made scapegoats. We will not let them get away with such an outrageous injustice!

At least $1400 is needed for initial legal fees. Anarchist Solidarity, Anarchist Black Cross and the Campaign Against Militarism are appealing for help in the form of donations or other shows of solidarity. (Spreading and translating this news, sending nasty faxes, etc.)

Bank Account:
Jakub Gawlikowski
PL05 1140 2004 0000 3702 4238 2269
BRE Bank S.A. Retail Banking, al. Mickiewicza 10, 90-050 Lodz
BIC/SWIFT: BREXPLPWMUL
SORT CODE: 11402004
Write: M29

More info:
anarchistsolidarity@yahoo.com
ack-wawa@o2.pl
campaignagainstmilitarism@gmail.com