7.2.13
The trial of “Revolutionary Struggle”, a militant anarchist group, has begun with the testimony of Christoforos Kortesis and Evangelos Stathopoulos. Both deny participating in the group, claiming their persecution is political and based on their involvement in antiauthoritarian activism and friendship with members of the group, such as Nikos Maziotis.
The two defendants pointed a lack of evidence and prosecution bias, by referring to the testimony of an Anti-terrorism police officer, key witness to the case. Kortesis specifically repeated statements regarding the anti-terrorism agency’s surveillance of the accused, according to which “frequently, normal behavior is very suspect”.
Regarding his fingerprints found on objects in the homes of L. Fountas and E. Stathopoulos, Kortesis claimed he was being “accused for not having sterilized relations, for not wearing gloves in social contact, whenever touching a pamphlet or DVD”. He also claimed that radios found in his home were used in open meetings of anarchists, while the electricity detector was for his profession as an electrician.
Stathopoulos spoke of his involvement in anarchist circles, referring to his participation in public activities, such as demonstrations and marches. He also mentioned extensive physical and psychological torture he experienced following his arrest. Regarding his meetings with the other defendants a few days before his arrest, which the aforementioned key witness referred to, he commented that “he is trying to make a conspiracy out of daily events, like social meetings”.
The trial will resume on the 8th of February, when the rest of the defendants testify.
