arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

The 'three young Germans of D14' went on appeal [ Interview of Benjamin ]

by red kitten Saturday, Nov. 02, 2002 at 2:40 PM

Benjamin, Marek and Niels have been arrested in December, during the D14 demonstration. In June they've been sentenced to one year of prison on probation. Because they still claim that they haven't thrown stones, etc, the went on appeal last week. [ Tuesday October 29th ]. Interview of Benjamin.

I'm Benjamin, at the moment i'm working for my civil service. In Germany, you still have to do that service if you don't want to go the military service.

rK: Can you remind us a bit why you're here, what all this trial is about?

We were arrested last year, after the manifestation, because of the top, in decembre, last year. The three of us were arrested, by civil cops. They were very brutal, our opinion is they were a little bit like fascists.
We got a trial, we were accused for throwing stones against the police in front of 'Tour et Taxis' and for resisting against the arrestation of the police.

The trial started in February this year, and the judgement was in June, and it was one year prison on probation, which is a very high punishment, especially if you are not guilty. Because we are not guilty, that is very important for us. Although, it's not important for that trial, i mean, it doesn't matter the the police caught us: it could have been anybody. They just needed someone to be guilty for the confrontation in front of 'tour et taxis' and also for destroying some banks, some cars ... which is not a topic in the trial. But i think they needed some persons they can show to the public as guilty persons.

Those are the reasons why we went to an appeal , to say that accept this punishment. So today was the trial in fonrt of the appeal court. First of all, i have to say that i was better than the last time. The atmosphere was much better. There were different judges, last time there was only one judge and he was really conservative, and ignoring our positions and what we had to say. Today they were much more friendly, they listenned to what we said. My impression is that they were also more open to what our layers, our defense had to say.

rK: Did the representatives of the state or the police also talked today?

No, it was just on the basics of the last trial, on the file. There weren't any witnesses today, only us in front of the court.

rK: You already had to come three times in Belgium ...

We won't have to come again. the judge said the judgement will be spoken the 10th of December, and it's up to us if we want to come. We won't come on that date, because it's not necessary.

rK: Do you take a risk with that appeal? Like to have a higher penalty?

No. Probably the punishement will be lower than last time. The impressions of our layers was that they won't give us a punishement for resisting anymore. It would be only for throwings stones. Because of that it's quite sure that the punishement will be lower.

rK: Do you see a link between your case and the repression increasing in EU and US ?

Definitely, we're not victims of coincidence. there's a sytem which works with very hard oppression against the anti-globalization movement. Of course there are links between repression in different countries. I think the last time the punishment was that hard because, well it's what the prosecutor said, they need an example for the tops that will come. Because i think from next year every European top will be in Brussels. for that they need some kind of an example; for the manifestations, like new rules.

rK: Is there somethign you want to add?

I want to thank people in Brussels whom showed solidarity, the last times, today it was not that much, but i understand. But during last trials, there were very much solidarity, we got a great support from many people, and that was very good. And i think it's necessary to support each other, there's always so much things to do, but a think like that can happen to anybody who's active in that movement. And it's necessary, i that happens to somebody, tha the others support those people. For example, in our home town the support wasn't that much as in Brussels. It have something to do with the main interests of the movement.
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