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Greece: The "Soloniki 8" and Simon Chapman

01 July 2003

At a counter protest during the EU Thessaloniki Summit in June eight people were arrested
and are being held on charges, known as the "Soloniki 8". These include UK citizen Simon
Chapman who faces the most serious charges of possessing explosives. The "Support
Simon Chapman campaign" say:

"Simon was arrested on Saturday June 21st at the anti-EU demonstration in Thessaloniki,
Greece. He was by the anti-authoritarian block march which left the occupied university at
around 5.00 pm. Initial scuffles broke out between the police and part of the march with the
police responding with hundreds of canisters of CS gas and other chemical weapons.

Simon was caught up in this attack by the police and was overcome by the teargas. A
police snatch squad then went for Simon and proceeded to kick Simon in the head and face
repeatedly. At this point Simon was wearing a distinctive blue and purple rucksack as the
photo in the pdf below shows. His bag was subsequently taken by undercover police who
proceeded to place three black rucksacks of Molotov's near him as the photo on the right
shows.

In addition to this evidence, a film footage moments after the initial contact with the police
shows clearly undercover police placing the bags full of Molotov's near Simon as well as
placing a hammer and pickaxe handle in the bags. The Greek authorities claim that Simons
Blue and Purple rucksack does not exist! Well we know and can show different.

Simon is 29 years old, and works as a graphic designer in London. He is an anti-capitalist
and in London has been involved with several social centres, particularly in organising
musical events. Recently he has been involved in anti-war and anti-militarist projects and
actions."

1. "Captured on film" (pdf with pictures)
2. "Support Simon Chapman" website with further details