Anarchists clash with police during "No Border action" in Vena, Greece.

by sdb Fri Sep 02, 2005 11:56

28th August 2005
NO BORDERS ACTION

On Saturday, August 27th there was a demonstration
planned in Komotini to raise awareness about No
Borders, and against the deportation of refugees and
detention centers, such as the one in Venna. The
demonstration had about 200 people and we marched the
streets of Komotini, including the area where the
Turkish minority and gypsies live. During the
demonstration, leaflets were handed out and texts were
read in Turkish.

After the demonstration in Komotini, we travelled to
the detention centre in Venna. It was a small
detention centre where hardly a hundred people can be
kept but it is known that in the past up to a thousand
people were kept at one time there.

There were farms nearby and a garage but nothing else.
Police in full riot gear were blocking the road
leading to the detention center. The No Border block
was well prepared to demand the entrance to the
building with any means necessary. After a clash with
the riot police, the block managed to push the police
line back and reach the entrance of the detention
center. We need to emphasize that during the fight a
policeman fell in the ground, panicked, drew his
pistol and shot in the air. After the dynamic
intervention of the protestors, the police was forced
to allow a few of us to enter the building.

Inside the camp, there was a small medical room, an
office for the police and the main section where the
prisoners are kept and we were not allowed to see the
conditions inside the prison. We were taken to the
office and three people, one Afghani and two
Palestinian were brought out. Unfortunately they did
not understand Greek or much English but we spoke in
English. We told them they had a right to political
asylum and they must ask for it. Some people inside
were there for up to 3 months but had no contact with
lawyers. They said they might be moved to Athens but
were uncertain of their future. They have not made
demand for political asylum yet and can still be
deported.

Names and nationalities of all 17 people held at the
detention centre:
1. Basak Hasan Iraq
2. Dilsat Hasan //
3. Halim Sunaban Mauritania
4. Ama Ali //
5. Ahmed Ali Palestine
6. Amin Aisa //
7. Halil Darou //
8. Jahangir Harmany Afghanistan
9. Vosar Mohamed //
10. Karmal Ibrahim //
11. Ples Virgiliu Moldavia
12. Burduh Constantin //
13. Ohrilov Elena //
14. Zop Ilivana //
15. Verdes Maria //
16. Chirita Mariana //
17. Zacon Tatiana //