LEGAL DEFENCE & MONITORING GROUP UPDATE 18TH JUNE 2001
UK ACTIVIST ARRESTED IN GOTHENBURG
You will by now be aware that the Swedish police shot three unarmed
demonstrators at Gothenburg. A number of people have also been arrested,
including one person from the UK. Paul Robinson has been charged with violent
rioting and battery (akin to the charge of violent disorder in the UK),
an offence which carries a maximum 4-year sentence. He is currently held
on remand in a Swedish prison and his trial is being fast-tracked to take
place in a few weeks. Comrades and friends who have been in touch with
Paul report that he was uninjured and in good spirits. However he is not
allowed any visits except from his lawyer. He would welcome letters (please
be careful what you say), newspapers and magazines. It is Paul?s birthday
on 4th July, so it would be great if he got hundreds of birthday cards.
Write to:
Paul Robinson
Goteburg Remand Centre
(Haktet)
Goteburg Polis Headquaters
(Polis Huset)
Box 429
40126 Goteburg
SWEDEN
We also have reports from Sweden that people are being rounded up and that details are being passed to police in other countries.
THE AMBASSADOR THROWS A PARTY
A demonstration took place at the Swedish embassy (Montagu Place, W1)
on 18th May. The Ambassador, using all the tact that diplomats are famous
for, held a reception with drinks, canapés and a barbecue. Noisy
protesters did their bit to spoil the party, in solidarity with those shot
and arrested. More protests are likely to follow, check the following websites:
www.schnews.org.uk
www.indymedia.co.uk or
www.wombleaction.mrnice.net
MAYDAY MONOPOLY PHOTOS PUBLISHED
The cops have released a batch of ?wanted? photos to the (London) Evening
Standard on 18th June 2001. The paper carried 6 photos, which are also
on the Crime Stoppers website: www.met.police.uk/appeals/mayday2001.htm.
If you see anyone you know then let them know. If you are arrested in connection
with Mayday (or anything else) our advice is to say no comment until you
have spoken to a good solicitor and to use a solicitor who you know is
good. Don't panic - don?t talk - you?ll soon be out.
CORRECTION
In the last newsletter we reported that the worst sentence to date
was 3 months for violent disorder. In fact it was much worse than that
- the charge of violent disorder was reduced to using threatening words
and behaviour (s4), and for that they got 3 months. Fortunately they have
now been released.
MAYDAY MONOPOLY CASES
Two cases have been concluded since our last newsletter. One person,
originally charged with violent disorder had it dropped to using threatening
words and behaviour (s4), pleaded guilty and got 6 weeks imprisonment.
The CPS also added another charge of theft (shoplifting), for which he
got 28 days. With time served he was out a few days later. More amazing
was the person whose charge was dropped from violent disorder to causing
harassment, alarm or distress (s5). She pleaded guilty and got a 6 months
conditional discharge. The first trial for wearing a mask was adjourned
on 18th June when the CPS served evidence at court. Finally one person
who was charged with violent disorder and had been in prison on remand
since May Day had their charge reduced to affray and they were granted
unconditional bail.
MAYDAY 2000 CASES
The trial of the final 3 cases from last Mayday is continuing. We will
send out details as soon as there is a verdict.
THANKS
Our thanks to those who sent donations.
URGENT APPEAL FOR FUNDS
Not for us this time, but for Swedish prisoner support who urgently
need money for those arrested and injured. The Post Giro account is 234
54-2, Account holder ?Syndikalistiskt Forum? label the payment ?Antifa
Solidaritet?.
SUBSCRIBE
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ABOUT US
The Legal Defence & Monitoring Group provides legal observers for
protests/demonstrations - we cannot cover every event but are always willing
to advise. We also provide unconditional support for anyone arrested on
protests where we had legal observers.
We can be contacted by post:
LDMG, C/o BM Haven, London WC1N 3XX (please send a stamped self-addressed
envelope);
by e-mail: ldmg@altavista.com;
and
by phone: 020 8245 2930 (24hr answerphone).
For info on all that's going on in Sheffield check out: http://www.sheffieldmayday.ukf.net
Nine ladies site - http://pages.zoom.co.uk/~nineladies/
Excellent national and international news from:
http://www.schnews.org.uk/
http://www.urban75.com/
http://www.indymedia.org/
http://uk.indymedia.org/