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France’s Repressive Mechanism Strikes Again

 

4 Convicted and 3 German NATO-Opponents in French Jail

 

Take your protests and your anger to the streets in front of the French Embassy (Pariser Platz 5) on Saturday, 11.04.09, and scream out loud: “Police partout, Justice nulle part” [Police everywhere, justice nowhere]

 

 

 

After the protests against the NATO Summit, the accelerated proceedings against three Germans have resulted in prison sentences. The Strasbourg Criminal court has given out sentences ranging from 3 to 6 months to three young man who are accused of arson during the Saturday protest in Strasbourg.  Already in yesterday’s press, Sarkozy announced his strong condemnation of the prisoners.  About 50 people were at the trial, where Riot cops were patrolling around the court building.  The prisoners, who had their hands tied behind their backs, were lead to the middle of the courtroom on a line.   They were freed and had to remain standing during the trial. It was clear to everyone that the trial was a farce; from the very outset that convictions would be handed down.  There was no hearing of evidence or presenting of arguments during the trial, and within a half hour the guilty verdicts were handed down.          

 

One protestor received three months probation and was deported.  Should he enter France in the next five years, he could face jail time.   Two other protestors were given six months in jail and were banned from entering France for five years (all three convicted are German citizens). Another prisoner was not subject to expedited proceedings.

 

When convictions were read out, shouts of protests broke out in the courtroom.  Both Germans, who must serve their sentences in  France, announced that they would be starting hunger strikes.   The judge let the room be brutally cleared, after trial spectators began shouting out “Fascists.”  The first condemned was then brutally dragged out by Riot cops. The image that we are left with—an image which we recognize well—is one of “Palais de Justice” surrounded by riot cops, denying the possibility of further inquiry.

 

Voila: “Police partout justice nulle part”  [Police everywhere, justice nowhere]
In addition to the three Germans, seven French citizens and one Hungarian living in Germany will also face trial.  

 

As soon as we have more info, we will inform you.

 

Take your protests and your anger to the streets in front of the French Embassy (Pariser Platz 5) on Saturday, 11.04.09, and scream out loud:

“Police partout, Justice nulle part” [Police everywhere, justice nowhere]