| Freedom
to G. Balafas |
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SOME DETAILS ON THE CASE OF G. BALAFAS
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The persecution of G. Balafas started in the Spring of 1985 immediately
after the death of his relative and friend Christos Tsoutsouvis in an armed
confrontation with police. The police, with a single piece of evidence
being a fingerprint of G. Balafas on a box of biscuits (!) found in Tsoutsouvis'
home,accused him of participation in the confrontation and in
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the death of three
police officers. G. Balafas starts hiding temporarily because he believes
there do not exist any guarantees for his life until some time later on
when the authorities accuse him anew of involvement in the execution of
Public Prosecutor Theophanopoulos and in the armed robbery of
a super - market that resulted in the death of two guards. For seven
years, which is how long G. Balafas is a fugitive, the police accuses him
of more participation in various acts making him appear as the No 1 wanted
terrorist.
When G. Balafas is arrested in November of 1992 they attempt, without
success, to present him as a member of organisation "17 November". They
then accuse him of possession of six kilos of hashish and bring him to
court on that basis together with his companion Vaso Mihoy. Reverse countdown
begins and soon it appears that the plans of the security police are so
weak that large portions of Greek society begin to support G. Balafas.
His trial begins in February 1994 and ends five months later where by G.
Balafas is found innocent on twenty counts. The percecuting mechanisms
react to his release and first - time acts of his sort attempt to prolong
his arrest.
They are not successful because G. Balafas begins a two month hunger
strike and also because of the social reaction to his condition. G. Balafas
is released in September of the same year. G. Balafas' release was a serious
embarashment to the persecuting authorities.
Very soon these mechanisms take the offensive and in the annual report
of the US State Department on "terrorism" the Greek government is reputed
for allowing G. Balafas to go free. High standing Judiciary officials and
members of the New Democracy right wing party pressured for G. Balafas'
arrest. The result was that in November of 1995 from a case that should
have been dismissed in the first place and for which in 1988 two other
persons were found innocent G. Balafas was convicted and sentenced to ten
years imprisonment.
On 22 October 1997, G. Balafas will go on trial (Court of Appeals).
This court will judged whether he has been a member of a terrorist group
or not. Mainly, however G. Balafas has to confront the plans of the Greek repression mechanisms and of the Americans.
We ask you to sent your writer declaration and protestation to the Ministry of Justice (fax number:+30 1 7758742), and the daily newspaper "Eleftherotypia" (fax no: 30 - 01 - 9028311).
Our adress
Valtetsiou 35
10681 Exarcheia - Athens
tel: +30 1 38 139 28
fax: +30 1 67 45 302
(note: to Committee...)
