Pola Roupa: November 17, 2023. 50 years from the Polytechnic and my release from prison

“After 7 years of consecutive imprisonment (from the arrest of 5th January, 2017), 8.5 years together with pre-trial detention (arrested on 10/4/2010) and 13 years and 6 months in total, sentence I served for my participation in Revolutionary Struggle, I have been released. The symbolism of the day was strong as this year’s November 17th marks the 50th anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising of 1973. On that day, everyone remembers the dead of the Polytechnic but also all those who have fallen in the struggle for freedom.

For me, this day was dominated by the memory of our comrade killed in the activity of Revolutionary Struggle, Lambros Fountas. But in my thoughts is also the comrade Nikos Maziotis who, despite the fact that he has served 11 years’ “closed” prison and 14 years in a mixed prison – a very long period for a 20-year sentence -, the judicial councils of Lamia are refusing to release him. It is now clear that a unique status of exception has been imposed on Nikos Maziotis, as no prisoner in a similar situation (with charges based on 187A) and with a similar sentence (i.e. not a life sentence) has remained in prison for such a long period of time. This exceptional regime based on political criteria and motives and which in practice nullifies the institution of parole – which according to the law is mandatory and not “gratuitous”, given that it is not left to the personal will of the respective judge – this exemption regime must come to an end. In addition to the flagrant violation of his rights, this special regime of exception is reminiscent of a junta-style treatment of a political prisoner.

After spending many years in prison, it would be a lie to say that I am not thinking about the many dozens of female prisoners I have lived together with. On the occasion of the – by mistake I believe – publication that they “discovered” that I was released from prison because I am the mother of an underage child, I have to say that in addition to the fact that I have already served the years of detention required for parole, there is no provision by any penal code for discharge of a prisoner on parole because she is the mother of a minor child. Only article 105 of the Criminal Code of 2019 provides for house arrest for mothers with children under the age of 8, a measure that is not particularly applied.

Having lived with women for many years, I know that most of them have a central role in caring for people such as young children, the elderly, the sick, the disabled, and their prolonged detention has a terrible impact on the lives of those who have remained alone, without their help. Conditional release for mothers of minors and for women who take care of categories of people such as those I mentioned above, is a provision whose absence from the criminal code demonstrates that the legislators do not take into account the pivotal position of women-carers in social life. It is a lack that often costs human lives.”

19/11/2023

via: epanastaticosagonas

Translated by Act for freedom now!