At the end of last December, the Greek government approved a reform of the national penitentiary system that, in addition to other measures that worsen prison conditions, establishes that those convicted of terrorism cannot access “rural prisons,” more “open” institutions to which long-term prisoners have access. The approval of this law has led to the immediate transfer of political prisoner Dimitris Koufontinas from the rural prison of Kassevitia. Dimitris is a comrade convicted for participating in the revolutionary organization 17 November, in prison since 2002. The new set of laws stipulates that inmates in rural prisons are reclassified and then transferred to the last prison they were in. In Dimitris’s case it should have been the Athenian prison of Koridallos. However, the prison administration decided to transfer him, manipulating the transfer papers, to Domokos prison. Although there are no differentiated circuits in Greece, in recent years, the prison administration has turned Domokos into a “hard” prison.
Such a punitive transfer is aimed at striking a comrade who has always struggled: as a free man, in courtrooms, in prison. Since his capture he has participated in numerous protests and has been on four hunger strikes. This repressive manoeuvre is not only aimed at annihilating Dimitris Koufontinas, but also forms part of the Greek’s state repressive project: crushing the most radical and combative parts of society to avoid the hypothesis of future and general conflicts.
Faced with the transfer, Dimitris Koufontinas decided to strive once again, using his body as a weapon and last resort. Since January 8, he has begun a hunger strike, which will continue indefinitely until he is transferred to Koridallos prison. As the strike continues, the comrade is in a critical and precarious condition in Lamia hospital: according to the doctors he could collapse at any moment.
During the strike there were many initiatives and solidarity actions throughout Greece and beyond: protests, demos, wall writings, banners, attacks against multiple objectives (politicians, banks, post offices, etc.). But time is running out and now we think extra efforts are needed.
Dimitris’s struggle is also the struggle of each of us. The creation and expansion of international ties is as crucial as ever so we are calling for an INTERNATIONAL day of solidarity and action on FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12 to support Dimitris Koufontinas.
THE DEMAND OF HUNGER STRIKE MUST BE IMMEDIATELY ACCEPTED
INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY IS OUR WEAPON
Athens, February 7, 2021
Solidarity Assembly with Dimitris Koufontinas
Solidarity Assembly with Dimitris Koufontinas
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