Sarah Ludford's statements on Simon Chapman

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 5th Nov 2003

Following the arrest and detention of her constituent Simon Chapman at the Thessaloniki EU Summit on the 21st June, Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP has raised his case with the authorities and released the following statements:

5 November 2003

MEP calls for release of Hunger Strike Briton

Reflecting serious concerns over the arrest and detention of anti-capitalist protestor Mr Simon Chapman at the Thessaloniki EU summit in June, London Euro-MP and LibDem European justice spokeswoman Sarah Ludford is calling on the Greek authorities to release him.

She says:

"There is severe doubt over the integrity of Simon's arrest and the behaviour of police. To this is added fears about his well-being, given his hunger strike in protest.

"The court must urgently reconsider the charges in the light of the video and witness evidence which appear to support Simon's story that he was intent on purely peaceful political protest and was 'fitted up' by police. But at the very least I urge that he should be granted bail; his family are understandably very anxious about his state of health.

Simon Chapman maintains that he was engaged in peaceful anti-globalisation protests in Thessaloniki before he was arrested and charged with serious riot and explosives offences carrying a potential 25 year prison sentence. He claims he was overpowered with tear gas, attacked and dishonestly framed by police who allegedly removed his bag containing only water and clothes and planted on him a bag containing Molotov cocktails, an axe and a hammer. Simon's claims are apparently supported by film evidence taken from a Greek television channel.

Mr Chapman has had three bail applications refused and is awaiting a fourth bail hearing on the 20th November. However his health is fast deteriorating as he has been on hunger strike for several weeks and is now taking only water.

Sarah Ludford added:

"I utterly deplore people perpetrating violence in the name of political protest, but the right to demonstrate peacefully is a vital civil liberty that should be upheld even by those who disagree with the particular cause. If Simon has been a victim of police scapegoating and malpractice, this is a very serious situation which needs to be investigated."

Notes to editors:

Simon Chapman was arrested at the Thessaloniki EU Summit on 21st June 2003. Six others continue to be detained with him in Greece on almost identical charges. They are expected to stand trial together in the second half of next year. They all vehemently protest their innocence and started their hunger strike on 5th October to alert the public to this miscarriage of justice. Human rights charity Fair Trials Abroad is supporting Simon and his two Spanish co- accused Fernando Perez and Carlos Martin Martinez.

12th November 2003

MEP calls for swift resolution to Simon Chapman's case

Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP reacting to reports of the grave state of health of Simon Chapman, on hunger strike in protest at alleged framing by police in Greece, has urged a swift resolution to the crisis.

Sarah said:

"Simon needs to be persuaded as a matter of real urgency not to endanger his health any further and he needs to be given sound assurances that his case will be examined with all speed and resolved fairly."

Thursday, 13 November 2003

Greece: Violent Protests Condemned

Responding to disturbing reports in the Greek media that anarchists are using violent means to protest against the arrest and detention of Simon Chapman and his co-accused Sarah Ludford, Liberal Democrat Euro-MP for London said:

"I have made representations on Simon's behalf on explicit assurances that Simon is a peaceful protester and has not participated in any violent or unlawful behaviour in Thessaloniki. I am taking up legitimate concerns about Simon's arrest and detention.

I am very concerned about reports of the behaviour from some people in Greece which is not only unlawful but does absolutely nothing for Simon or his co-accused.

I will have no truck with or any sympathy for anybody who employs violent or unlawful means as a manner of protest and condemn it in the strongest possible terms"

November 18, 2003

Simon Chapman must Condemn Violent Protest

Following reports that anarchist demonstrators in Greece are using as an excuse for violent protest the detention of the "Thessaloniki 7", including hunger-striking Briton Simon Chapman, LibDem Euro-MP Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP has joined calls for Simon to publicly dissociate himself from any violence or unlawful action.

Sarah Ludford said:

"If Simon is to continue to benefit from the assistance of those of us concerned that his arrest and detention represent a miscarriage of justice, he must immediately condemn any violent agitation taking place ostensibly in his support."

"He should also heed the advice of his legal team to end his hunger strike so he will be in a fit and able state to challenge police allegations.

"Simon can surely appreciate that the exploitation of his arrest and hunger strike by trouble-makers simply undermines his case that he has been a peaceful protester, and that his interests can now only be protected by his condemnation of them."

November 21, 2003

Simon Chapman: Urgent action requested again

Sarah has written an urgent letter to Greek foreign minister Papandreou appealing to him directly to do all in his power to ensure the Greek authorities acknowledge the invalid nature of the arrest and detention of Simon Chapman based on the photo and video evidence that police planted a bag containing molotov cocktails on him.

The text of the letter is below:

Dear Mr Papandreou,

URGENT: Mr Simon Chapman, British citizen in detention and on hunger strike in Greece.

As spokeswoman on justice matters for the European Liberal Democrats I have had the pleasure of meeting you just before and during the Greek Presidency of the EU, most recently at the excellent conference on managed migration in Athens last May.

I am now taking the liberty of writing to you directly on an urgent matter. It concerns my constituent Mr Simon Chapman who, as you will know, is being held in detention in Athens on charges of riot, resisting authority, arson, construction, possession of explosives and criminal damage. I understand Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio raised with you the plight of the Spanish detainees held on similar charges when you met earlier this week and that you told her you would make sure all the cases are dealt with speedily and urgently.

Simon Chapman was arrested when peacefully taking part in a demonstration at the Thessaloniki EU summit on June 21st 2003. He maintains that police overpowered him with tear gas, violently attacked him and dishonestly "framed" him by removing his own bag containing only water and clothes and planting on him a bag containing Molotov cocktails, an axe and a hammer.

I believe that the charges against Simon Chapman should be dropped. Not only do I believe there is no evidence of Simon committing criminal offences, there is positive film evidence which appears to show police acting illegally. Simon categorically denies all of the serious charges made against him.

He claims that whilst in detention he has been mistreated by police. To date Simon has had three bail applications refused. I understand a fourth one is under consideration following further video evidence which supports his story

I believe Simon to be innocent of these charges and have been assured that he is not nor ever has been a violent protester. With the film evidence which supports his story and thoroughly discredits his arrest, I am shocked and surprised that the charges have not been dropped.

I should add that I understand Mr Chapman was interviewed without interpretation which is clearly unacceptable.

I am aware of and welcome the fact that a Supreme Court prosecutor has now ordered an investigation into Simon Chapman's claims that he was framed by police. I request that you do anything further you can to secure that charges against Simon are dropped and at the very least that he is released on bail. Simon is so resolutely determined about his innocence and mistreatment by the Greek authorities that he is carrying through his hunger strike and his life is in grave danger.

With the evidence existing which so clearly supports Simon's claims of innocence and with so many serious questions to be answered over his arrest I believe the Greek state has a duty to act. I would also like to know whether the police involved in Simon's arrest and detention are being investigated for the actions that appear on film.

Thank you in advance for your urgent consideration of this matter; I look forward to hearing from you very soon.

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