After a violent police raid by 1.000 German officers on 19 December 1999 in the “Mehringhof” centre in Berlin (D), our colleague Harald Glöde, member of the anti-racist and refugee organisation FFM (Forschungsgesellschaft Flucht und Migration) and several other activists were arrested and sent to remand prison under accusation of membership in the “Revolutionäre Zellen”.
The trial against Sabine Eckle, Matthias Borgmann, Axel Haug, Harald Glöde and Rudolf Schindler started 22 March 2001 in Berlin. Serious doubts about the credibility of the crown witness were confirmed during the trial about his role within the “Revolutionäre Zellen”. As his testimony is the only evidence linking the people on trial to the alleged crimes this is very serious. On 18 January 2002, the 53rd day of the trial, Sabine Eckle and her husband Rudolf Schindler were released from remand prison after confessing to being member in the “Revolutionäre Zellen”. In their declarations they confirmed the doubts about the credibility of the crown witness. Due to an accident in his closest family, Matthias Borgmann is released from remand prison since beginning of February 2002. Axel Haug was released on 28 February 2002 after a personal declaration, which manifested the implausibility of the crown witness once again. On 10 May 2002, Harald Glöde was released due to a serious illness in his closest family. But the trial continues.
Find further reportage on www.freilassung.de
Protest action
UNITED was sending every day a protest postcard to the judge in Berlin, demanding the immediate freedom of the imprisoned people. These solidarity messages were signed by activists throughout Europe, who believe that this is a political trial, which also aims to criminalise the anti-racist / refugee movement.
