## Nachricht vom 24.06.02 weitergeleitet von LPA ## Ersteller: pomierz@poczta.onet.pl

Polish Anarchist Black Cross Infobulletin #4 - Summer 2002

Poznan - Free Caucasus Committee Case

During Putin's visit to Poznan in January this year, police brutally arrested participants of an anti-war demo at the entrance to the Poznan International Fair Hall. More than 20 people were detained, among them a few journalists. The police action met with huge criticism in the mass media. The arrested activists decided to file a claim for compensation from the police for unreasonable arrest and brutal treatment. In May, the court in Poznan decided in favour of the activists who are to receive 200 zlotys (50 USD) compensation. A similar demonstration took place also in Gdansk and Krakow where 3 anarchists were detained. They are accused of organising an illegal gathering, refusing police orders and "reckless handling of fire" (which refers to the burning of the Russian flag). As of June there is nothing new in that case.

Krakow - police action during charity gig

In February punks organised a punk festival in Krakow which was a part of a nationwide charity action. All benefits from the gig were destined to help sick children. Almost 1000 people gathered in the front of club in which the gig took place. However at least 200 policemen showed up, just to "protect the gig". Policemen behaved in provocative way, which resulted eventually in fights between part of the gig participants and police. Police started to beat punks who then started to resist. Police answered with rubber bullets. More than dozen people got hospitalised with heavy injuries. Many people were stabbed and kicked by angry policemen. Only one policeman was injured - he broke his finger when stabbing a punk. 44 people were arrested and accused of attacking policemen, banditry etc. Some of them are facing even 10-year sentences. ABC started to act immediately. First, we called a press conference, where we presented a film made by an independent operator. The film showed police brutality and some fine examples of police provocations. What is more, the film showed the commander of the police operation kicking a person who was lying down. As a result, the media started to increase pressure on the police and courts. We were also backed by many human rights organisations, some public VIPs etc. Some people were released. The commander was temporarily suspended and the public prosecutor started legal proceedings against him (our sources in the court inform us that his case will be discontinued). After subsequent solidarity demonstrations in Warszawa, Bialystok, Poznan, Lodz and Wroclaw and media publications, the court released the remaining people. However they are still facing serious accusations. Their cases are being monitored by ACK and we will keep you informed.

Krakow - Rafal Gorski is free!

Rafal Gorski, one of the most active anarchists in Krakow, was brutally arrested in February this year. Prosecutor accused him of attacking a policeman during an anti-eviction action last year. Thanks to his lawyer's action, he was sentenced to 8 months of prison but that was suspended for 2 years and he received a fine. ACK made solidarity demonstrations in Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw and Szczecin and press conferences in Poznan and Lodz.

Krakow - annual repression during the Anti-Banquet action

In Krakow anarchists organise an annual Anti-Banquet action, in protest against the Annual Banquet held by local authorities. Ten years of protest resulted in victory this year - city officials decided not to organise the Ball this year. Anarchists gathered in the city centre to celebrate the victory at the end of February. As usual, police reacted in a hysterical way, repressing anarchists. Just before the action, a group of activists were detained for 1 hour. Police also detained the driver who was carrying the meal and alcohol for the celebration. Finally more than a hundred people showed up at the main market in Krakow. More than 150 policemen too. The activists were ID checked. A few days after action, the court accused some activists of various misdemeanours; Marek Kurzyniec was accused of leading an illegal gathering and "consuming alcohol in a public place", the activist who was distributing hot meals is accused of "distribution of food without proper certificates", another activist - of taking part in an illegal gathering. During the action police also detained a 14-year old activist from nearby Sandomierz who was transferred to the Police Juvenile Room, a kind of arrest for children. He needed to be taken back home by his parents...

Bialystok - activist fined for solidarity

A.P., an activist from Bialystok, was fined 100 zloty (25 USD) for taking part in an illegal gathering (solidarity demo) in front of the arrest. Protesters did not submit to the police orders and did not disperse.

Gliwice - squatter imprisoned

Jan Stolarski, a squatter activist from Silesia, was arrested and imprisoned after breaking parole. He was sentenced a few years before to 2 years of prison for beating a nazi-skinhead. He is to spend the next months in prison.

Bialystok - another fine

The City Court of Bialystok fined an activist 20 zl (4 USD) after he refused to show his ID to policeman. During the trial a group of 10 anarchists demonstrated in front of the court. The court ordered police and the activist to share the costs of trial 50-50.

Warszawa - legal parody after May Day in 2001

One of activist who got beaten by police filed a complaint. The city court decided that this case would be discontinued due to lack of proof. After an appeal from the injured party, the case was appealed and it should "be discontinued soon". The Public Prosecutor acts as a police attorney. A fine example of state justice...

Warszawa - 2 years of trial for insult

The case against the activist who (according to prosecutor) insulted the Polish President during a political summit in 2000 continues for the second year with no end in sight. Since the beginning of the case the court has performed 16 trials. The witnesses are called from all-over Poland (mostly former policemen). We will keep you informed if something goes on.

Szczecin - detentions during anti-NATO demo

On 9th March, Szczecin saw an anti-NATO demo organised by local activists in front of an official banquet held by NATO officials on the occasion of commencing "Strong Resolve" exercises. Police started to check IDs. After a few minutes, policemen who were "protecting" the demonstration decided to detain some people. As a result, all the activists were detained. The court started legal proceedings against some of them.

Slupsk - May Day 2002

More than 200 anarchists from all over Poland and abroad demonstrated against the new Labour Code and the policies of the Polish government during May Day in Slupsk. Police detained 8 people, among them Janusz Waluszko, a veteran of the anarchist movement from Gdansk. He is accused of resisting policemen and insulting them. Anarchists lead their demo to the official May Day demo held by the SLD, the ruling left wing party. Anarchists succeeded in gaining control over the crowd, making the officials' speeches inaudible. The local court in Slupsk is now interrogating the detained people. So far the accusations are unknown.

Bialystok - "Lapa" and "Rufik" cases

The case of "Lapa", the local antifascist who defended the squat "De Centrum" is to be prolonged. Some of the nazis who participated in the fight withdrew their testimonies. Lapa's lawyer is trying to get the charges decreased to "participating in a fight", which is "only" punishable by 3 years of prison. The case of "Rufik", another antifa from Bialystok, is being rescheduled due to the absence of the "victims" (nazis) and their witnesses. So far all testimonies are in favour of Rufik's version of the whole occurrence. In April 2001, "Rufik" was arrested and accused of battering a nazi-skinhead. After 3 months he was released. "Rufik" denies his guilt as he was at his home at that time.

Wroclaw - squatters detained

About 10 squatters were detained during a police provocation near the Kromera squat in Wroclaw in May this year. For some time, police agents, dressed as ordinary people, have been trying to provoke squatters and their guests. Offenders are usually waiting in front of the squat and insult residents. In May the squatters decided to deter police provocateurs. As the policemen disappeared, a police car showed up immediately. The policemen detained one of the squatters' guests - the squatters reacted by blocking the car. Police called for reinforcement. As a result, police detained almost everyone. Some of them will face charges of resisting police and "disturbing the night silence" even though the whole event took place before 10:00 PM. (The night silence prohibits making excessive noise after 10PM.)

Poznan - another anti-war activist trial On 12th of April, the Poznan City Court started the case of 11 activists accused of organisating an illegal gathering against the war in Afghanistan in November last year. Anarchists and pacifists organised a solidarity demonstration in front of the court. More than 50 people attend the trial then. Everyone had their ID checked . The judge ordered all journalists to leave the court during trial. The next trial is to be held on 8th of July. The mass media, as well as a diverse group of pacifists, artists and cultural organisations are supporting the accused anti-war activists. We will keep you informed.

Bialystok - detentions 5 people from De Centrum squat were detained for a few hours. They are accused of threatening and battering the frontman of a local nationalist music band on 1st June. The "victim" was accompanying policemen in their car and showed them the above- mentioned people. The detained people are in fact punks, squatters or antifascist but they deny any connection to that case.

Prisoners report

Tomek Wilkoszewski - sentenced for 15 years of prison for killing a nazi-skinhead in self-defence. Recently Tomek was penalised by the prison administration. His computer, TV set and radio were confiscated and he was denied his monthly parcel from his family. What is more, he was transferred from a 2-person cell to a 5-person cell. After one month the penalties ended, perhaps due to the huge support that Tomek has received. For example, on 16th of March, FSA-IWA and Czech ABC organised a solidarity demo in Prague. Meanwhile, the "Friends of Tomek" group is preparing another petition to the President of Poland, who has the right to reprieve sentences. On 25th of June, ABC and "Friends of Tomek" will organise a Day of Solidarity with Tomek. Solidarity demos are going to take place in Ankara, Bratislava, Gent, Amsterdam, Paris and Berlin. The group acts outside ABC structures (however in strong co-operation); most of their work is devoted to practical support to Tomek. You can read more about their activity on their website www.tomek.most.org.pl. You can write your letter to Tomek there. You can support them by a small donation transferred to that account:

BIGBPLPWXXX Owner: M. Barton Number: 34116022020000000029384984

You can contact Tomek by writing:

TOMASZ WILKOSZEWSKI Zaklad Karny Orzechowa 5 98-200 Sieradz Poland

Dawid Hass is punk from Warsaw who is serving a sentence for battering a nazi-skinhead in Warsaw last year. Two of his companions were transferred to other prisons and we have no contact with them.

Dawid Hass Zaklad Karny ul. Bartnicka 10 87 800 Wloclawek Poland

No copyrights, distribute freely.

You can obtain this sheet in e-version on www.most.org.pl/ack in English, German or Polish edition or contacting us directly:

ACK (ABC) Poland skr. pocztowa 5 60-966 Poznan 31 Poland

You can help us by sending small donation:

PEKAO BP XX odzial Poznan ul. Stary Rynek 44 61722 Poznan Poland Account No. 10204085-5999100-270 Owner: Marek Piekarski

Foreign contacts to Polish ABC: pomierz@poczta.onet.pl Having worthy informations? News to publish in our bulletin? Just send it to biuletyn@o2.pl

Translation: Pomierz / ABC Trójmiasto Co-operation: Laure / ABC Warszawa

Alter-EE mailing list Alter-EE@lists.most.org.pl http://www.lists.most.org.pl/ cgi-bin/ listinfo/ alter-ee 28.06.2002

ralf@anarch.free.de (Ralf Landmesser)