Prison was created for the poor in pdf

 

Leeds ABC have released our pamphlet PRISON WAS CREATED FOR THE POOR as a PDF file (downloadable from the Leeds ABC website at http://www.leedsabc.org).

The 36 page pamphlet was originally released by Leeds ABC in 2007 and focuses on two tireless militants of the Spanish prison struggle, Xose Tarrio Gonzalez and Gabriel Pombo Da Silva, who fought against the brutal F.I.E.S. isolation units. Xose was killed by a life behind bars, and Gabriel now rots in a German prison. As well as biographical pieces on Gabriel and Xose and a short excerpt from Xose’s book ‘Huye! Hombre, Huye!’, the pamphlet contains a first-hand account of the Aachen trial (see below) and an introduction by Mark Barnsley. The main part of PRISON WAS CREATED FOR THE POOR though, is the text of an interview with Xose and Gabriel’s mothers, Pastora and Julia. The interview took place during the trial of Julia’s son, Gabriel, and her daughter Begoña, and of Gent ABC activist Bart De Geeter and Gabriel’s fellow escapee, José Fernandez Delgado, in Aachen, Germany, in 2005. Through this medium, they tell a powerful and emotional story, which not only takes us inside the world of Spanish high security prisons, but reflects on jails throughout the world.

Like far too many comrades, Gabriel and Jose remain in the dungeons of The Enemy, and as with so many long-term prisoners, attention has shifted away from them to the point where little recent material can be found about them on the internet. In view of this, Leeds ABC have agreed to a request to release our pamphlet as a PDF file. While Leeds ABC remain committed to publishing material in ‘hard copy’, which we believe is more universally accessible, and also raises funds for the direct support of prisoners (and not for the arrogant North American parasites who constantly rip-off our publications), as with some of our other pamphlets, we have decided to publish PRISON WAS CREATED FOR THE POOR as a PDF in the hope that its wider circulation will increase solidarity with Gabriel and Jose.

We hope that you will enjoy reading PRISON WAS CREATED FOR THE POOR and that it inspires you to revolutionary action or at least to support those comrades who find themselves behind bars. Gabriel and Jose’s prison addresses are as follows:

Gabriel Pombo Da Silva,
JVA Aachen,
Kefelder Str. 251,
52070,
Aachen,
Germany.

Jose Fernandez Delgado,
Aachenstr. 47,
53359,
Rheinbach,
Germany.

Advice on writing to prisoners, as well as the details of other imprisoned comrades in need of support, can be found on the Leeds ABC website.

If you would prefer to read PRISON WAS CREATED FOR THE POOR in hard-copy, it can be obtained directly from Leeds ABC (details on the Leeds ABC website) or from radical booksellers such as AK Press. As with all Leeds ABC publications, all profits made from sales are used for the direct support of class struggle and Anarchist prisoners.

Leeds ABC
e-mail: leedsabc@riseup.net
Homepage: www.leedsabc.org

Report from Jock Palfreeman solidarity demo outside Bulgarian embassy

Poster displayed at the demo

A Bulgarian flag being burnt outside the Embassy

One of several leaflets that were given out (front)

One of several leaflets that were given out (back)

Over 30 people gathered outside the Bulgarian Embassy in London yesterday to show solidarity with Jock Palfreeman as part of an International Day of Action to highlight his situation. Jock is a young Australian lad who went to the aid of two Roma boys who were being attacked by a racist gang and who is now serving 20 years in a Bulgarian prison. More details about the case at  http://www.freejock.com/

At yesterday’s London demo, banners were hung on the railings of the Bulgarian Embassy and pictures of Jock put on display. Hundreds of leaflets were given out during the 3 hour demo and a Bulgarian flag was also burned outside the Embassy.

Leeds Anarchist Black Cross
e-mail: leedsabc@riseup.net
Homepage: www.leedsabc.org

Solidarity actions needed for Jock Palfreeman

Jock Palfreeman is a 24 year old Australian who, on the 27th of December 2007,
had the courage to stand up against 16 fascist hooligans on a night out in Sofia, Bulgaria.
He witnessed the fascists chasing and attacking two young Roma boys. Jock ran to
the boys’ aid, he did his best to keep the fascists at bay by waving a knife at
them but they attacked him. Jock was left with nowhere to run and had no choice
but to defend himself. Andrey Monov, one of the racist gang, was stabbed and killed
and another, Anton Zahariev was injured. The Roma boys ran away.
Jock has since been tried and sentenced for murder and attempted murder. He has
been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and has been fined 375,000 Australian
dollars. Jock has spent much of the time he has already served in isolation due
to a legal loop hole used by the prison authorities.
Andrey Monovs father is well known in Bulgaria and at the funeral there were a
mixture of judges, police and politicians. Jocks trial was (not surprisingly) a
complete sham – yet another example of corruption and secret handshakes in the
judicial system. The prosecutions case was built on the witness statements made
by the other Nazis that were there that night, all claiming that Jock randomly
attacked the group and chased them with the intent of killing somebody. Key
people and possible witnesses for Jocks defence were never interviewed by police
and the CCTV footage from the scene miraculously went missing. Many of the
statements made at the time were not the same as the statements submitted to the
court by the prosecution.
Jocks statement has remained consistent from the night in question.

You can read Jocks official statement at www.freejock.com You can also watch a
documentary about his case that contains interviews with Jock at the following
links:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8rLrOW1g1k&feature=related
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdhA9UzRGqo&feature=related
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8NRJF5x-D0&feature=related

Jock appealed against his sentence and few court hearings took place between October 2010 and January 2011. Despite police officers confirming his version of events, one of the fascists making totally incoherent statements in court trying to explain why he changed his original testimony , mounting evidence of judicial errors during the initial trial and all other factors pointing to his innocence his sentence of 20 years was upheld. (For Jocks statement about this please go to: https://anarchistsolidarity.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/jocks-sentence-upheld-after-an-appeal )

Jock now lost all the appeals and only one left to him is to appeal to European Union Court in Strasbourg. He is also trying to secure his transfer to Australia which proves difficult as Bulgarian prosecution service seems to be determined to keep him imprisoned in Bulgaria.

It is now more important than ever that we collectively put as much pressure on
the Bulgarian authorities as possible to accept Jocks transfer. We are in it for the long run- we need to let Jock now that he is not alone in his struggle and any solidarity actions can go long way to assure that. There will be Week of Actions organised at some point in March but we need to build up for that with protest messages being sent continuously as well and awareness being raised about the Jock’s case.
The more creative the actions the better. Don’t let Bulgarian state bury this courageous man alive in prison!  Don’t let them think that they can get away with it!

Another important aspect is, especially for people in Australia , to keep pressure on their authorities to do something in Jocks case and officially demand his transfer as well.

If you are short of ideas why not try one of the following;

Organize solidarity actions outside Bulgarian Embassies and Consulates etc.
(for a list of the Bulgarian Embassies and Consulates please see,
http://www.buldir.com/bulgarian_embassies_abroad.html).
Phone the Bulgarian Embassies and Consulates with your protests.

Help us to bombard the Bulgarian Authorities with letters of protest and
requests  for Jocks appeal to be accepted. It is also vital that we we send as many protest messages to prosecutors directly responsible for blocking his transfer.
(please see below for a list of addresses).

If you want us to help promote your events send us the details at
anarchosolidarity@yahoo.co.uk
Ideally protest letters are best written in your own words BUT we have provided
a sample letter (attached) that can be sent if you do not want to write your
own. Just print it out, sign it and post it, it’s as simple as that. Feel free to
reprint it and distribute it to anyone you think may send a copy.

We need to get the pressure up and
keep it up.

Addresses to post, fax and email your letters of protest to:

Krassimira Vocheva

Head Prosecutor-Sofia

No.2 Vitosha blvd

Sofia

Bulgaria

phone no: +359 28051500

email: infocenter@prb.bg

Borish Velchev

Head Prosecutor-Sofia

No.2 Vitosha blvd

Sofia

Bulgaria

phone no: +359 28051500

email: infocenter@prb.bg

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria
Address: 2 Aleksander Zhendov Str
Sofia 1040
BULGARIA
Tel: +359 2 948 2999

http://www.mfa.bg/en/contact/     (ready form for sending messages from their website, very helpful)

Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria LONDON
186-188 Queen’s Gate
London SW7 5HL
Tel.: (0044) (0) 207 584 9400, (0) 207 584 9433
Fax: (0044) (0) 207 584 4948
E-mail: information@bulgarianembassy.org.uk

Information, Public Relations and European Communication Directorate
Director: Sofia Vladimirova
Tel: +359 2 971 1408. OR +359 2 971 3778. OR +359 2 948 2218.
Fax: +359 2 870 3041
E-mail: iprd@mfa.government.bg

Ministry’s Reception Desk
Tel: +359 2 948 2018 OR +359 2 971 1054
(opening hrs 09.30 – 12.00 and 14.00 – 16.00)

Ministry of Justice
E-mail: pr@justice.government.bg

Finally, please write to Jock, even if it’s only a ‘good luck’ postcard. Any
letters and postcards help to keep Jock feeling positive and high spirited and
all are gratefully received. You can write to Jock at the following address:
Jock Palfreeman,
Sofia Central Prison,
21 General Stoletov Boulevard,
Sofia 1309,
BULGARIA

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to you in regards to Australian National Jock Palfreeman.

Mr. Palfreeman is currently imprisoned in Sofia Central Prison in Bulgaria.
After defending two young innocent boys from a viscous attack by a group of
drunken football hooligans, and later being forced to defend himself against the
same assailants, he was sentenced to twenty years incarceration under charges of
murder and attempted murder.

He is clearly only guilty of causing accidental death while using self defence.

Mr. Palfreeman witnessed the gang (of around 16 men) attacking the two boys and
ran to their aid. While trying to keep the gang at bay he suffered a viscous
attack and was left with no choice but to defend himself. His version of events
has remained consistent since the night in question and is supported by numerous
witnesses. All of whom are prepared to testify in his defence.

It has since transpired that at his trial, to my astonishment, key people and
possible witnesses were never interviewed by police, the CCTV footage from the
scene went missing and many of the statements that were submitted to the court
by the prosecution were not the same as the statements made (by the same people)
on the night in question.
Anything working in favour of Mr. Palfreemans’ defence was completely
disregarded by the judge and the prosecutions case was built on the witness
statements made by the football hooligans that initially attacked the two boys,
all claiming that Mr. Palfreeman randomly attacked them and chased them with the
intent of killing somebody.
The trial was a farce so were all appeals

I ask that the Bulgarian Authorities allow him to be transferred to Australia where he can be closer to his family and stop their attempts to try and keep him imprisoned in Bulgaria.

We will continue showing our solidarity and highlighting his case until we are satisfied with the progress.

Mr. Palfreeman selflessly saved the lives of two young boys, risking his own
safety and costing him his own freedom. He should be deemed a hero, not a cold
blooded killer!

Signed

Don’t forget the (antifascist) prisoners!

 

“Knowing there’s guys and girls like you on the outside supporting us makes such a difference…It’s really nice not to be forgotten and I’ll be eternally grateful to everyone.” – Ravi Gill

At the end of June, six antifascists were sent to jail for between fifteen and twenty one months on trumped-up ‘conspiracy’ charges. All are long-standing activists who deserve to be supported.

Austen and Thomas are still being held in Wormwood Scrubs prison in London, while the others have been moved to separate jails in the south of England.

Please send them letters of support at the addresses given below. They may each receive postage stamps and Postal Orders (made payable to ‘The Governor’ and with the prisoner’s name and prison number written on the back). For advice on writing to prisoners please see the Leeds ABC website.

A solidarity fund has been set up to support the prisoners in jail and upon release. It is administered by Leeds Anarchist Black Cross, a long-standing and reputable prisoner support organisation, and the fund will ONLY be used to support the prisoners directly. If you would like to contribute to the fund please send a cheque (made payable to ‘The Cable Street Society’) to Leeds ABC, 145-149 Cardigan Road, Leeds, LS6 1LJ. Details for bank transfers are:

The Cable Street Society
Sort Code 070093
Account number 33333334
Ref 0827/704169523

We would like to thank the groups and individuals who have already contributed to the solidarity fund, including Antifa England, Brighton & Hove TUC Unemployed Workers Centre, Bristol ABC, Kate Sharpley Library , and Rebel Soul (Shambala Festival).

The Anarchist print co-op Sabcat have also produced two benefit T-shirts in support of the prisoners (designs above). They are printed on organic cotton, fair wear, carbon neutral, Earth Positive T-shirts and cost £14.95 including UK postage. Sabcat are donating their labour for free, so apart from the cost of the unprinted garment itself and the postage, all money raised goes to the antifascist prisoners support fund. To order a T-shirt check out the Sabcat website at http://www.sabcat.com. They will also be available to buy at this year’s London Anarchist Bookfair.

Andy Baker
A5768CE
HMP Highpoint
Stradishall
Newmarket
Suffolk
CR8 9YG

Thomas Blak
A5728CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Thomas is Danish and would appreciate European/International stamps to keep in touch with his family and with comrades abroad.

Sean Cregan
A5769CE
HMP Coldingley
Shaftesbury Road
Bisley
Surrey
GU24 9EX

Sean can receive books (they must be new or in very good condition).

Phil De Souza
A5766CE
HMP Elmley
Eastchurch
Sheerness
Kent
ME12 4AY

Ravinder Gill
A5770CE
HMP Wayland
Griston
Thetford
Norfolk
IP25 6RL

Ravi can receive posters, so if you hold a support event consider sending him one in.

Austen Jackson
A5729CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Anarchist/antifascist prisoner Thomas Blak writes from Wormwood Scrubs

Anarchist/Antifascist Prisoner Thomas Blak Writes From Wormwood Scrubs:

To comrades worldwide,

I send out this communiqué from inside the prison HMP Wormwood Scrubs in London, UK. I have been sentenced to imprisonment for 18 months.
This sentence has been intensely pursued since 2009 by the Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police, and the greedy barristers of the ancient and outdated English judicial system, which in my case was presided over by the dinosaur H.O. Blacksell QC and his posh puppy Mark Trafford.
During a profitable 17 days, in which various worms in wigs paraded their knowledge of the rich man’s law, while filling their pockets at public expense, as well as strutting their vivid imaginations, to keep each other awake. Then they sent out their twelve handpicked blind sheep for deliberation. Thirteen hours later and six comrades were en route to HMP Wormwood Scrubs, courtesy of the privatised justice courier Serco.
The outcome was a given from the very start and the Victorian master-race puppeteer H.O. Blacksell made no secret of which way these cowardly people, who so viciously decided to stand up against the bigoted racists from “Blood And Honour”, were to end up. It was obviously paramount for “Blacksellaurus Rex” to ensure that the public of Welling wouldn’t have to be exposed to such an act of free-will in terms of an antifascist opposition to fascism. It is much preferred to simply allow fascists free reign to exercise their hatred and occasionally to murder, as long as it’s done out of sight of his beloved public. After all, the fascists pay his wages and are ideologically alike.

Under the context of conspiracy, the court invented a guilty verdict, whereby no evidence was required. One for all and all for one, unless of course you hadn’t previously had the nerve to challenge the way in which a system, made by the rich and to protect the rich, wants us to live. Despite serving a sentence, it is forever held against you, which is quite handy, should one be a tad short of the annoying thing called evidence.

In a straight contradiction to what the justice system tries to preach, they have exposed themselves as nothing more than a posh gang of thugs, with huge prisons to keep us locked-up, out of sight, out of rights!

This is not unique to England and it is evident in most countries. With the breakdown of their economic system, their thuggish behaviour is becoming more and more exposed. From Athens, our inspiration, to London, it’s time to stand up and stand united, with passion and determination.

Democratic capitalist society and dictatorships alike, their failure is shining brighter by the minute, as with any system which is unfair and only serves to benefit a tiny minority of the population.

I send my support and solidarity to the comrades, in prisons and on the streets, who have courageously decided to say enough is enough. No more of the “Rule of the Rich”. No more shall they be able to hide behind their legal arguments and pseudo-democratic excuses. No more shall they be able to hide behind their polluted cloud of justice when it’s so apparent that it’s nothing more than a tool of repression, by which a big, fat, wigged-up bastard can, without remorse or humanity, destroy the lives of people on a daily basis, without any consequences or questions being asked of him. Only a few dictators have had such powers at their disposal.

It’s time to judge our judges. I know about 85,678 people in England alone, who’d like a word or two with these infallible keepers of the rich man’s democracy.
To the rich man’s justice – Fuck you hard and rot in pieces!

Anarchist Prisoner:
Thomas Blak

Anti-fascist prisoners update

At Blackfriars Crown Court on Friday August 19th Jonathan Wood – one of the anti-fascists found guilty of “conspiracy to commit violent disorder” in June – was given a suspended sentence.

The convictions of Jonathan and the six other anti-fascists were complete travesties, but we are over the moon that our friend and comrade avoided being sent to prison, as this was a real possibility for him. In the end, Jonathan was given a non-custodial sentence for reasons relating to his personal circumstances.

Prisoners had been moved to different nicks now, their current addresses and prison guildelines are in this link:

http://antifascistprisonersupportuk.wordpress.com/addresses/

New website to support recently jailed UK Anti-fascists

Group of comrades of recently imprisoned UK Anti-fascists set up temporary support group for them whilst they are in prison. If you wish to donate money for them, you can do it now by PayPal. Go to:http://antifascistprisonersupportuk.wordpress.com/

UK Antifascists in need of support

Antifascist Prisoners In Need Of Support Six antifascists were recently fitted-up and sent to prison. Because of ongoing legal issues, for the moment we are unable to say more about their case, but a full report will eventually be issued. Suffice to say, they have been well and truly fucked over and deserve our fullest support and solidarity. Please write to them. As always, assume your letters are being read by our enemies and ensure you do not compromise your own security or that of others. Also please note that Thomas Blak and Austin Jackson are as yet unsentenced. For advice on writing to prisoners see the Leeds ABC website. La lucha continua!

Andy Baker (21 months)

A5768CE HMP

Wormwood Scrubs

PO Box 757

Du Cane Rd

London

W12 OAE

Thomas Blak (Unsentenced)

A5728CE HMP

Wormwood Scrubs

PO Box 757

Du Cane Rd

London

W12 OAE

Sean Cregan (21 months)

A5769CE

HMP Wormwood Scrubs

PO Box 757

Du Cane Rd

London

W12 OAE

Phil De Sousa (21 months)
A5766CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Ravinder Gill (21 months)

A5770CE

HMP Wormwood Scrubs

PO Box 757

Du Cane Rd

London

W12 OAE

Austen Jackson (Unsentenced)

A5729CE

HMP Wormwood Scrubs

PO Box 757

Du Cane Rd

London

W12 OAE

(from Leeds ABC)

WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?

The story of Jock Plafreeman

by Anarchist Solidarity

It’s been three and a half years now since Jock Palfreeman has been imprisoned after saving the lives of two young Roma boys in Bulgaria!

In short Jock ran to the aid of the two boys when he was witness to a vicious and racist attack inflicted on them by around sixteen drunken football hooligans. Jock held them at bay for long enough for the two Roma boys to run away but the group turned on him. Jock was set upon and literally had to fight to save his own life. During the fight one of the group, Andrei Monov, was accidentally killed. Jock was sentenced to twenty years imprisonment and the equivelent of a £250,000 fine! (for the full story please go to http://www.freejock.com).

Support for Jock has now reached an international level.

Anarchists and Antifascists have started campaigns aound the globe including Australia, UK, Russia, Poland, France, Austria, Greece, and more… Strangely, Bulgaria is not in that list.

Suprised? So were we!

We went to the website of FAB (Bulgarian Anarchist Federation) to see if there was any mention of Jock. To our astonishment we found that not only had the FAB decided not to support Jock, they had decided to go out of thier way to publically condemn him! They claimed that Andrei Monov was thier friend and that Jock was a killer who deserved the maximum prison sentence!

(see the google translation below)

”Federation of Anarchists in Bulgaria condemns any kind of street violence and joined grieving relatives and friends of the slain boy.
Prompt the authorities to fulfill their obligations to conduct a full investigation of the case and the guilty receive fair and appropriate punishment to his grave crime.
Andrei was also a friend and we share the grief of relatives and friends.
Rest in peace, Andrei!”

http://anarchy.bg/novini/novini-ot-bulgaria/496-1-godina-ot-ubijstvoto-na-andrej-monov.html

Not only did this make us rage to the core, it also made us question the FABs idea of Anarchy. Why on earth would people who call themselves Anarchists be in favour of a prison sentence for a man who had taken Antifascist action? And why did they so openly associate themselves with Monov when he had clearly been involved in a savage and outnumbered racist attack on two young Roma boys?

We got in touch with AF (Anarchist Federation UK), FABs sister organisation. We wanted to know if they knew what was going on in regards to the statement on FABs website and also where they stood in regards to supporting Jock.

They emailed us back to say that they would investigate. Infact that was all they said.

Months passed along with more emails from us and all they would say was that they were investigating. Eventually they just stopped replying and we realised that we were wasting our time.

However, a spokesperson for AF did contact a mutual friend and comrade who has also been campaigning for Jock. Firstly they wanted confirmation that AS were a trustworthy and genuine Anarchist group. They were given the confirmation they asked for, but then decided that the word of our comrade was not good enough (an insult to say the least) and rejected the verification.

AF then wrote again to our comrade stating that Jock was a soldier that had been involved in a drunken fight and had killed a friend of the FAB. They claimed that Monov was ”not a Nazi”. They also stated that the only people who claim that Monov was a nazi are the fascists themselves!…

So let us get this straight, (we’ll get to the soldier bit in a minute), Monov, who was out with at least fifteen other (known locally to be fascist) football fans, drunk, and invoved in such a savage racist attack on the two Roma boys, does not qualify as fascist in the opinion of AF or FAB?

The grieving friends of Monov who were at the funeral (alongside members of the Bulgarian government, cheif of police, judges and other ‘important and influental’ people) who are reffered to by the AF and FAB as Bulgarian fascists and the far right are falsely claiming that Monov was their friend?

We don’t get it!!

It beggs the question: What would FAB and AF have to say if it were one of the Roma boys who had been killed that night? Because as far as we can see that is exactly what would have happened if Jock had not run to thier aid.

Would FAB still claim that thier beloved Andrei Monov was thier friend if he had been involved in a savage racist attack resulting in the death of the victim?

We’d like to know! So if any FAB or AF would like to answer our questions feel free. (you’ve got our email address)

Now, the controversial claims about Jock ‘being a soldier’…

Firstly, lets get one thing clear, Jock has never claimed to be an Anarchist, Activist or Antifascist. He was a young lad travelling and making friends.

He decided to join the British Army towards the end of 2007, his visa was coming to an end and he saw it as an opportunity to stay in the UK. He completed four weeks training and then went on leave for christmas. He was on holiday in Bulgaria.

So did we know Jock is a soldier?

Well he’s not! He never completed his training.

Did we know that Jock had joined the British Army in 2007?

Yes we did! And quite frankly we don’t care!! The decisions Jock made before the incident in question do not interest us one bit. As far as we are concerned those decisions are completeley irrelevant to what happened on the night of the 28^th December 2007. Jock unfortunately found himself in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and he did the right thing!!

Thats enough for us.

It is abundantly clear that the whole case has been completely manipulated by Monovs father and his high ranking friends, all of the court proceedings to date have been a complete farce, there has been absolutely no sense whatsoever of a fair trial and it is so blindingly obvious that Jock has been completely stitched up!

Jock Palfreeman is an incredibly brave and courageous man who took outstanding Antifascist action and he needs our support.

Which side are you on?

For more info about Jocks case and how you can support him please go to: http://www.abc.net.au/austory/specials/conviction/default.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8rLrOW1g1k www.freejock.com www.anarchistsolidarity.wordpress.com

Also you can join the facebook page Freedom For Jock.

STATEMENT ALSO ENDORSED BY BRIGHTON ANARCHIST BLACK CROSS

International Week of Action for Jock Palfreeman 11th-17th of April

THIS IS A  CALL OUT!!

SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITY FOR JOCK PALFREEMAN

AN INTERNATIONAL WEEK OF ACTION HAS BEEN CALLED

FOR 11^th-17^th of  April 2011

Continuing the campaign for Jock;

Jock Palfreeman is a 23 year old Australian who, on the 27th of December 2007,
had the courage to stand up against 16 fascist hooligans on a night out in Sofia, Bulgaria.
He witnessed the fascists chasing and attacking two young Roma boys. Jock ran to
the boys’ aid, he did his best to keep the fascists at bay by waving a knife at
them but they attacked him. Jock was left with nowhere to run and had no choice
but to defend himself. Andrey Monov, one of the racist gang, was stabbed and killed
and another, Anton Zahariev was injured. The Roma boys ran away.
Jock has since been tried and sentenced for murder and attempted murder. He has
been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and has been fined 375,000 Australian
dollars. Jock has spent much of the time he has already served in isolation due
to a legal loop hole used by the prison authorities.
Andrey Monovs father is well known in Bulgaria and at the funeral there were a
mixture of judges, police and politicians. Jocks trial was (not surprisingly) a
complete sham – yet another example of corruption and secret handshakes in the
judicial system. The prosecutions case was built on the witness statements made
by the other Nazis that were there that night, all claiming that Jock randomly
attacked the group and chased them with the intent of killing somebody. Key
people and possible witnesses for Jocks defence were never interviewed by police
and the CCTV footage from the scene miraculously went missing. Many of the
statements made at the time were not the same as the statements submitted to the
court by the prosecution.
Jocks statement has remained consistent from the night in question.

You can read Jocks official statement at www.freejock.com You can also watch a
documentary about his case that contains interviews with Jock at the following
links:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8rLrOW1g1k&feature=related
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdhA9UzRGqo&feature=related
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8NRJF5x-D0&feature=related

Jock appealed against his sentence and few court hearings took place between October 2010 and January 2011. Despite police officers confirming his version of events, one of the fascists making totally incoherent statements in court trying to explain why he changed his original testimony , mounting evidence of judicial errors during the initial trial and all other factors pointing to his innocence his sentence of 20 years was upheld. (For Jocks statement about this please go to: https://anarchistsolidarity.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/jocks-sentence-upheld-after-an-appeal ) He has one last chance of appealing against that decision.
It is now more important than ever that we collectively put as much pressure on
the Bulgarian authorities as possible to accept Jocks final appeal.
From the 11th to the 17th  of April there will be another International week of
action for Jock. The more creative the actions the better. Don’t let Bulgarian state bury this courageous man alive in prison!  Don’t let them think that they can get away with it!

If you are short of ideas why not try one of the following;

Organize solidarity actions outside Bulgarian Embassies and Consulates etc.
(for a list of the Bulgarian Embassies and Consulates please see,
http://www.buldir.com/bulgarian_embassies_abroad.html).
Phone the Bulgarian Embassies and Consulates with your protests.

Help us to bombard the Bulgarian Authorities with letters of protest and
requests  for Jocks appeal to be accepted.
(please see below for a list of addresses).

If you want us to help promote your events send us the details at
anarchosolidarity@yahoo.co.uk
Ideally protest letters are best written in your own words BUT we have provided
a sample letter (attached) that can be sent if you do not want to write your
own. Just print it out, sign it and post it, it’s as simple as that. Feel free to
reprint it and distribute it to anyone you think may send a copy.

We need to get the pressure up and
keep it up.

Addresses to post, fax and email your letters of protest to:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria
Address: 2 Aleksander Zhendov Str
Sofia 1040
BULGARIA
Tel: +359 2 948 2999

http://www.mfa.bg/en/contact/     (ready form for sending messages from their website, very helpful)

Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria LONDON
186-188 Queen’s Gate
London SW7 5HL
Tel.: (0044) (0) 207 584 9400, (0) 207 584 9433
Fax: (0044) (0) 207 584 4948
E-mail: information@bulgarianembassy.org.uk

Information, Public Relations and European Communication Directorate
Director: Sofia Vladimirova
Tel: +359 2 971 1408. OR +359 2 971 3778. OR +359 2 948 2218.
Fax: +359 2 870 3041
E-mail: iprd@mfa.government.bg

Ministry’s Reception Desk
Tel: +359 2 948 2018 OR +359 2 971 1054
(opening hrs 09.30 – 12.00 and 14.00 – 16.00)

Ministry of Justice
E-mail: pr@justice.government.bg

Finally, please write to Jock, even if it’s only a ‘good luck’ postcard. Any
letters and postcards help to keep Jock feeling positive and high spirited and
all are gratefully received. You can write to Jock at the following address:
Jock Palfreeman,
Sofia Central Prison,
21 General Stoletov Boulevard,
Sofia 1309,
BULGARIA

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to you in regards to Australian National Jock Palfreeman.

Mr. Palfreeman is currently imprisoned in Sofia Central Prison in Bulgaria.
After defending two young innocent boys from a viscous attack by a group of
drunken football hooligans, and later being forced to defend himself against the
same assailants, he was sentenced to twenty years incarceration under charges of
murder and attempted murder.

He is clearly only guilty of causing accidental death while using self defence.

Mr. Palfreeman witnessed the gang (of around 16 men) attacking the two boys and
ran to their aid. While trying to keep the gang at bay he suffered a viscous
attack and was left with no choice but to defend himself. His version of events
has remained consistent since the night in question and is supported by numerous
witnesses. All of whom are prepared to testify in his defence.

It has since transpired that at his trial, to my astonishment, key people and
possible witnesses were never interviewed by police, the CCTV footage from the
scene went missing and many of the statements that were submitted to the court
by the prosecution were not the same as the statements made (by the same people)
on the night in question.
Anything working in favour of Mr. Palfreemans’ defence was completely
disregarded by the judge and the prosecutions case was built on the witness
statements made by the football hooligans that initially attacked the two boys,
all claiming that Mr. Palfreeman randomly attacked them and chased them with the
intent of killing somebody.
The trial was a farce!

I ask that the Bulgarian Authorities grant him his appeal and release him from those absurd charges!

Mr. Palfreeman selflessly saved the lives of two young boys, risking his own
safety and costing him his own freedom. He should be deemed a hero, not a cold
blooded killer!

Signed