Solidarity with the anarchist Giannis Michailidis – On hunger strike since 23/5/22

1 June, 2022

Anarchist prisoner in Malandrinos prison Giannis Michailidis started a hunger strike on 23/5 demanding that his request for release be accepted. While he has served his entire sentence (8.5 years in the cells of democracy) and according to the laws of civil justice he is entitled to be released from prison, the responsible judicial council rejected the 1st application for his permanent release on the grounds that he is “liable to commit new offences” and the 2nd application is still under consideration with the prosecution having recommended against it.

Determined and consistent for years in the struggle against state power, capitalist brutality and all forms of exploitation, he has fought battles through his participation in social struggles and in guerrilla action groups. Present in every form of struggle that promotes rebellion and resistance to power, he has been in practical solidarity with those who have experienced the brutality and vindictiveness of repression. Having been ineffectively accused of a number of baseless cases (robbery in Paros, joining the C.C.F.) and convicted, among others, of the “crime” of robbing a bank, and having managed to escape from the hellholes of democracy (an act for which he has served his legal “debt”), he remains a proud revolutionary without ever signing statements of repentance for his actions and choices. It is obvious, therefore, why the Amfissa magistrates’ court is refusing him the permanent dismissal to which he is entitled.

Because this is exactly what they have in store for those prisoners who do not “repent” their political actions and who do not obey the morbid prison system. It is the way in which the judicial and correctional officials – the system’s praetorian preterists – take revenge on those who resist their dictates, their regime that perpetuates exploitation and inequality. Comrade Giannis Michailidis, unyielding in his anarchist stance, has fought and is fighting the state and capitalist regime that is currently in yet another phase of “crisis”, something that the social base is experiencing in its own skin, unable to survive due to the increase in the cost of living. It experiences it in the wars of the powerful, an integral part of the capitalist economy and the state-building of societies, which plunder the natural world on the altar of money and exploit human existence for profit.

But the consequences of this regime are also experienced without a voice to express it by nature and other living beings. The comrade has chosen a side in the social war that is constantly raging and by continuing this enlistment he has chosen one of the hardest means of struggle to claim his freedom. And in this struggle solidarity is crucial and necessary. We therefore unequivocally declare our support.

Whoever forgets the prisoners of war, forgets the war itself.
Strength and solidarity to all our imprisoned comrades.
Immediate release of the unrepentant anarchist comrade Giannis Michailidis who has been on hunger strike since 23/5.

Solidarity fund for imprisoned & persecuted militants, Thessaloniki assembly.

Translated by Act for freedom now!