Two months ago, on 31.10, on Arkadias Street in Ampelokipi, a crack in time occurred when the anarchist comrade Kyriakos Xymitiris lost his life after an explosion. The anarchist comrade Marianna is seriously injured and a “witch hunt” begins in order to complete the conditions required to build an indictment under the 187A law. Upon my return on Monday 4.11, 15-20 policemen from the anti-terror unit were waiting for me at the landing strip of the airport. They confiscated my personal belongings and afterwards transferred me to the 13th floor of GADA. Initially they announced that this was a control which later turned into an arrest based on an exaggerated and factless indictment of the charges of forming and participating in a terrorist organization, explosion, and possession, manufacture and supply of explosives. After the interrogation procedure the interrogator, a Mrs. Georgia Kioulepoglou, decided along with the prosecutor, on the basis of non-existent evidence, to detain me in pre-trial custody. Two days earlier, using the same flimsy accusation, they also detained my comrade Dimitris.
During this period comrade Marianna was hospitalized in isolation and guarded on a 24-hour basis. Not even three days after she regained consciousness, with her health in a severe condition due to the injuries and operations she had undergone, she was called for an interrogation which, in such conditions, is clearly torture. As if that was not enough, from the very first day of her transport to Evangelismos hospital, her torturers exploited the fact that she was under anesthesia, ordering the taking of fingerprints and blood for DNA analysis without her consent. During her hospitalization there was not a moment of privacy, with the cops insisting that the door should remain open at all times, even during medical treatments and when she attended to her private needs, depriving her of the right of decent hospital treatment. They decided to discharge her just one day after the last surgical operation, and transferred her to Korydallos prison with her wounds still open, while failing to provide her with the necessary medication for three entire days.
With a predetermined strategy, the anti-terrorist unit sets up a “convenient” (for them, as always) indictment in an attempt to fulfill all the necessary requirements for our persecution under the 187A law. Personally, I was charged with being a member of a terrorist organization, due to the fact that I handed over the keys to my comrades in the context of hosting their acquaintances from abroad. Such a move, had it not been carried out by an anarchist, would not have resulted in any persecution. The way 187A is drafted is so vague that it can be stretched and applied to anyone, whenever necessary. A law that is reaching epidemic dimensions in order to create a pool of suspects through the penalization of comradeship and friendship. At the same time, a series of terror-scenarios are unfolding in front of our eyes, based on flimsy evidences, the latest incidents being the arrests of comrade Nikos Romanos and A.K. based on incomplete fingerprints on a moving/mobile object. The state apparatus is once again showing its vindictiveness by targeting the “usual suspects”. We are dealing with a law that is being used as a super-weapon in order to target and repress, which attempts to spread fear and isolation.
However, beyond the criminal aspect our persecution cannot be separated from the broader political context. On an international level, the West, through its colonialist policy, is carrying out military operations in the Middle East, transforming geopolitical points of interest into US and NATO military bases. By siding with Israel, strengthening it economically and militarily, it is waging war on the resilient Palestine. Involvement in the Russian-Ukrainian war aims to bring Ukraine into NATO in order to strengthen its position on the global map. And of course Greece is no exception. Having chosen to spend enormous amounts of funds on military supplies, it increases the inflation that afflicts the social base. An inflation that has forced the lower classes into poverty and misery. With the fear of unemployment, the ghost of a public health system and with the vast majority in a constant struggle for survival while sinking into misery. Therefore, in a context of general destabilization, the state has put the dogma of law and order on its agenda in order to prevent any social unrest that could arise due to widespread dissatisfaction.
In a strategic disorientation from the domestic and global context the media, from the very first moment, started a bombardment of news regarding our case, spreading a climate of terror-hysteria. For several days, and without respecting the death of our comrade, they began to denigrate us. They are the same who remained silent towards the genocide of Palestinian, Lebanese and Yemeni people; towards the state murder of Tempi where they sympathetically portrayed politicians and journalists who spoke of a “necessary sacrifice” in order to improve the railway network; towards the state murder of migrants in Pylos; towards the dozens of femicides; towards the whitewashing and covering up of rapists and scandals.
Beyond the repressive strategies of the state, our case carries a burden more important than any terrorist-scenario. The gap left by the loss of our comrade and friend Kyriakos is enormous. He was a rare humble person, determined in his beliefs and in the struggle. A tireless spirit, present in almost every assembly, demonstration and mobilization. A person who was interested not only in connecting various struggles such as those against racism, fascism, patriarchy, colonialism and prisons, but also in bringing people and groups within the movement together, constantly highlighting everything that united us against repression and misery. Most of all, he was a comrade for whom the meanings of comradeship and solidarity were of practical significance. His sharp mind, his profound empathy and his analysis and understanding of the conditions in which we are fighting advanced our struggles. By taking both small and big risks and being aware of the responsibilities attributed to each, he dedicated his life to the revolutionary cause. He has been an integral part of the struggle.
Therefore, if one thing is certain, it is that the name of comrade Kyriakos Xymitiris will remain engraved in memory, inspiring all those who fight for a world of freedom, equality and solidarity. Who fight inside and outside the walls against all forms of exploitation, oppression and isolation. Who envision a different tomorrow. Until the smile of satisfaction will meet the echo of class and social liberation.
“They drew up the map of the road to life
they paved it with precious stones and with their young hearts
they raised their hearts as stones on their palms
embers and flame
and with these they pelted the monster of the road,
now is the time to show courage and strength,
their voice was heard strong everywhere
it reverberated everywhere
and there was courage and strength
they died standing
blazing on the road
shining like stars
their lips pressed to the lips of life. “
-Fadwa Tuqan
FOREVER HONOR TO ANARCHIST COMRADE KYRIAKOS XYMITIRIS
STATE, CAPITAL & MEDIA ARE THE ONLY TERRORISTS
SOLIDARITY IS OUR WEAPON
FREEDOM TO THE ANARCHIST COMRADE K.K.
IMMEDIATE FULFILLMENT OF THE DEMANDS OF THE PRISONERS IN THE AGIA PRISON IN CHANIA
Dimitra Z.,
Women’s Prisons of Korydallos.