From: aforum@moose.uvm.edu (autonome forum)
Subject: three Greek militants arrested
Organization: University of Vermont -- Division of EMBA Computer Facility
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1993 01:26:03 GMT

subject: three Greek militants arrested
posted by: autonome forum
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Three Greek Militants Arrested

     On Wednesday December 2, two men and one woman were arrested
in Athens: Jiorgos Balafas, Wasiliki Michu, and Andreas
Kiriakopulos. Joirgos Balafas is accused of:

     - founding a terrorist organization and membership in a
terrorist organization of more than two persons with the aim of
murdering persons with weapons;
     - sale and possession of drugs;
     - weapons construction, possession, and sale to various
organizations;
     - supporting a terrorist organization;
     - possession of an illegal radio transmitter;
     - possession of falsified documents;
     - auto theft.

     Wasiliki Michu and Andreas Kiriakopulos are charged with
supporting a terrorist organization and the possession of
falsified documents. According to the cops, Jiorgos Balafas is
alleged to have taken part in the following actions:

     - the shooting of state prosecutor Theofanopulu in April
'85; this action was claimed by the group "Anti-State Action"
[now called "1st of May Commando"].
     - a shoot-out in Gizi, during which three cops were shot, as
was one of Balafas' alleged helpers, Christos Tsutsuvis; May '85.
     - a shoot-out in Kalogrezas, during which the alleged leader
of "Anti-State Action", Michalis Prekas, was killed; October '87.
     - a bomb-attack in Exarchia, for which Kiriakos Mavrokopos
has been sentenced; November '90.
     - a bomb-attack in Sepolia; November '86.
     - a bank robbery in Galatsi; May '86.
     - attacks on groups of police carried out by the groups
"November 17" and "Revolutionary Resistance"
     - the shooting of a CIA agent in December '75.

     Balafas has been sought by the cops for several years now,
and the Greek press has been portraying him as a "leading
terrorist". The press has repeatedly spread lies about him. The
conservative New Democracy government claimed in 1989 that
Balafas had ties with both November 17 and the social democractic
party PASOK. Many of the files regarding this case have been
burned by the police, leading to speculation that either they are
withholding information or preparing for more arrests.
     The three arrested militants were observed for months and
were arrested in an intensive police raid during a party with
friends. Allegedly, police found a cache of weapons, hand
grenades, false documents, and drugs, as well as a car with a
fake liscence plate. Shortly after the arrests, Greek TV
uncovered a scandal when the head of the police and a high-
ranking general gave conflicting accounts of what had been
siezed, etc. In the end, the Greek interior minister resigned and
publicly apologized for some of the false information which was
stated regarding the number of weapons siezed, etc. In the press
as well, the cops were made to look foolish on account of their
blood-thirsty raid on Balafas' house.
     Balafas and the other two militants arrested did not make
any statements whatsoever to the police.
     Nonetheless, a short press-release was issued by Balafas:

"The program of lies from the police over the last few years has
now reached its high-point. The press has also played its role in
this, by portraying me as 'the most dangerous and unpredictable
terrorist in Greece'. And the cops, who accuse me of having
weapons and explosives, have now added drugs to the list. I have
not killed or wounded anyone. I demand that these lies be
publicly set right. I have not made a statement to police,
because I do not want to become a victim of their so-called
'anti-terror campaign'. Cops lie today, just as they always have,
just because my ideas and my way of life are radically opposed to
the existing system and its values - and many people think this
way! That makes us dangerous to them, but it has nothing to do
with these charges. The people arrested with me are my personal
friends, and they have be detained so that our number might
constitute a "group". Oppose the 'anti-terror' program which
foreign capital is financing and which our government is
directing against the people and all of Greek society! In the
face of lies, truth with prevail! I will make a more lengthy
statement sometime in the future."

     The three prisoners are being very heavily guarded. Friends
and relatives of the arrested militants have been putting
pressure on the state prosecutor demanding their release. Shortly
before the arrests, November 17 became active again, bombing
Athens' financial district in response to tax increases announced
by the conservative government.

(from Interim #220)

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