Nickos Koundardas on hunger and thirst strike demanding his freedom - update 2 June

from imc-athens, updated 4 June 2009:

1 June 2009
Medical Certification about the health condition of Nikos Kountardas, published on Monday 1st of June

MEDICAL CERTIFICATION
1-6-2009

“About the patient Nikos Kountardas, 31 years old

The above mentioned patient who is hospitalized detained is in hunger strike from the 16th of May 2009. From 16th of May until the 23rd of May he was refusing to get any liquid from his mouth.

He was first checked from us on the 22nd of May, when he was brought on our day of duty. Really, the patient was strongly dehydrated with points of ortho-hypotension, unable to urinate, and laboratorial findings compatible to acute kidney insufficiency. Additionally, he showed disorder of conscience level (heavy sleepiness and clutter of late memory)

From 23rd of May until the 27th of May the patient used to accept taking water from his mouth and was keeping in hunger strike. Us a result his kidney function got recalled, as well as the conscience level. However, from 27th of May he refuses entirely to take any food but also any other liquid. His general condition has been run-down. He shows heavy sleepiness, appearances of ortho-hypotension, and despite the fact that he hasn’t shown until now any incident of clinical hypoglycemia, the level of his blood sugar remains constantly low. Additionally, he shows few urination and laboratorial findings compatible to kidney burden (uremia and pus-spheres on the general urine check).

The patient weights 55Kg, while the 1st day of his hospitalization, when he was weighted for first time, he was 62,5Kg. He reports that his body weight before the start of the hunger-thirst strike was about 65Kg. This means that the total weight loss is accounted about 10Kg, which is more than 10% of his usual body weight, fact which, joint with the continues lack of liquid raises hard anxiety for his health process. He shows hard emaciation and continues sleepiness.

Considering that our medical deontology does not allow us to use any compulsion in terms of the enforcement of medical attendance to the patient, who has already been checked by a psychiatrist ascertained as imputation and healthy mentality, we caution for the becoming heavy condition of his health condition.”

Footnote

The certificate above was written on Monday morning. Ever since, and from the same day’s afternoon, Nikos drinks a small amount of liquid any day, surely much less than he should as a hunger-striker. He remains, despite the hydration (weight gathering) on 55Kg today. Covering the 18th day of hunger-strike, he is in increased danger of complications and permanent damages on his health.

2 June 2009
The committee that will decide whether he should be released will meet on 10 June, after the 7 June 2009 European Parliament elections in Greece. Meanwhile, Nikos is in danger of non-reversible body and brain damage. Obviously the state hopes that N. Kountardas will give up, but no government official can understand the determination of an anarchist. As his life in the hands of the state is in danger, Kountardas is in need of solidarity from his comrades internationally.

SOLIDARITY ACTIONS

ALL TIMES in local time, timezone UTC+02 (Athens, Greece)

A solidarity action is planned for Saturday 6 June 2009, 13:00, Child Roof Park, Nikaia (Athens)

3 June: Occupation of the ERA station in Volos, Thessalia, Greece

2 June: Occupation of local radio station in Xanthi, Thrace, Greece, and attack against the government's Press Ministry in Athens

1 June: Occupation of local radio station in Volos, plus further occupations of 3 more radio stations in Mytilini, Lesvos Island, Greece

30 May: Solidarity march in Athens, and a public talk in Xanthi

29 May: Public talk in Mytilini, other solidarity actions in Athens

28 May: Visit at radio station in Serres, Greece, public talk in Iraklio, Crete Island, Greece

27 May: Public talk in Larisa, Thessalia, Greece

26 May: Gathering in Komotini, Thrace, Greece to inform the public about the case

25 May: Gathering and public talk in Athens

24 May: Solidarity March in Xanthi, Thrace, Greece

23 May: Solidarity actions in Kozani, Greece, gathering at the General Public Hospital of Nikaia in Athens, and another action in Serres

22 May: Solidarity gathering outside the hospital where Nikos Kountardas is confined, public talk in Kavala, Solidarity Breakdance, other solidarity actions in Xanthi

20 May: Action in Kozani

18 May: Solidarity March in Xanthi

Audio recording of Nikos Kountardas on his 3rd day of hunger strike here

Updates on his health, in Greek, here

3 June 2009 updates

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A summary of what has happened up to now and his last letter from the Hospital Ward where he is imprisoned.

Please, contribute to the summary in english (or other translations) so we can add more details and begin spreading this around the globe to inform people about his situation.

On Saturday May 16 anarchist Nickos Kountardas was ordered in pre-trial detention under the pretext of his supposed non-abiding to the bail conditions previously set to him.

Nickos had been ordered to appear to his local police station (in the northern city of Xanthi) twice a month.

At his previous appearance he was informed he could not sign the paper proving his presence, under a bureaucratic pretext (that his case’s folder had not been transferred to the local station yet). The next time he appeared to the same station (on May 16), he was arrested!

Next day, on Sunday May 17 Nikos was transferred to the prison of Komotini, where he was placed in solitary confinement. Two days later, on May 19, in an obvious attempt to be isolated from the solidarity movement around him, he was transferred to the remote prison of Amfissa, in central Greece.

Nickos went on thirst and hunger strike from the night of May 16, the night of his arrest. He stopped the thirst strike on May 23 when was informed that there will be a court date set for him while he continued to be on hunger strike, demanding his immediate release.

Doctors warn that Nickos’s health is deteriorating and that he is fast approaching a non-reversible condition.

Solidarity actions have taken place in many cities around Greece, while on May 22 Nickos was transferred to the General Hospital of Nikaia in Athens.

Yesterday on May 27 he resumed the Thirst Strike while he is still on Hunger Strike since May 16.

Yesterday he managed to secretly send the following letter that reached comrades outside:

"I‘m writing a few words on a napkin. In secret. They have forbidden me everything. I am in a state of complete isolation. I don't know what’s happening outside. Real terrorism exerted from the deep State itself. However, I believe I haven’t said my last word. I hope these will reach the outside world and will become known, propagated. Whatever happens. To hear the testimony of my soul that I have given a week ago to Radio Revolt. The situation and the conditions in here remind of other dark ages. They are all furious with me. I do not know if I’ m considered a political prisoner of their democracy, the only sure thing is that if someday their sovereignty collapses I may perhaps be recognized as a former casualty or former prisoner of their “democracy”. Something like the actual, frequently advertised and honoured, recognisable by all “released and exiled by the dictatorship”(1967-1974). Until then what would you expect... deafening silence. Silence like “omerta” that should not “break”. It doesn't matter, one day they'll understand, maybe the people will wake up.

Here and now in the State Hospital, they have put me in here since Friday after they transported me in almost a coma condition, with pressure 7-5, glykose 45, weighing 6 kilograms less. I'll try and describe what's going on. The doctors tried to inject me with IV water, however I did not accept. In any case I generally have to admit that despite the pressure by the State the doctors have kept a decent attitude. However, during the course of the night, on the dawn of dawn of Saturday, while I was unconscious a strange woman escorted by policemen entered the room and injected me with glykozated water and vitamins. This is an incident that I want to make public and denounce, while the fact can also be testified by the one and only patient detained in the room with me.

What I want to say is that we may all imagine what also happened to Savvas Xiros (injured by a bomb blast) in Evangelismos Hospital. And since I have talked about Friday, I want to thank all the friends and comrades that upset the area around the hospital (solidarity protest). It was moving and pleasant for me while unpleasant for the enemy. Also I want to thank all the people that came outside the hospital the next morning. It was a gesture that livened up my soul. I heard of and was really glad for the great protest in Xanthi, a city that gives birth to anarchists. As well as for the attacks against the riot police in Trikoupi Str in the cities of Athens and Thessalonica. I THANK all the friends and comrades from every corner of the Greek space for their diversified solidarity.

Now for some different kind of thanks.

* I “thank” the "people in charge" from the Ministry of Justice that are crowding outside the guarded Hospital Ward that they keep me in order to resolve my problem.

* I “thank” the Public Prosecutor and Police authorities that within a matter of 10 minutes they managed to prepare a case against me, while the responsible for my release Council of Judges of Komotini requires more than 10 days.

* I “thank” the humanguards for their “kind” treatment during my transfer-abduction from Komotini Prison, worthy and exemplary for a prisoner in hunger and thirst strike.

* I “thank” my inmate in Komotini Prison that in solidarity abstained from food, and burned the Prison Ward when he heard of my torture and continues supporting me despite me “suspicious” fight.

* I “thank” here in the State Hospital the guards that allow me to make phonecalls, “respects” the personal data and in general “respects” the rights of a prisoner.

* I “thank” the para-government that has "not" threatened my parents...

* Finally I “thank” in advance all the scam that will defame and slander this second and difficult effort of mine to pursue my rights.

Today, Wednesday 27/5/09 noon I began the 2nd and last hunger and thirst strike. I will fight for my right by any means necessary. If there's no solution then it’s WAR WAR WAR!

While closing this letter I‘m asking for two favours. I had promised something to Alexis in P.Faliro, perhaps I won’t be able to make it. Comrades, please spread this now during the exam school period for those who want to study in Universities: December the 6th 2008 – June the 6th 2009. No students and schoolmates this year to be candidates to join the Police Force. WE DO NOT FORGET - WE DO NOT FORGIVE

And finally, protect those in Xanthi as if it was your own eyes

I'm not of this world

LONG LIVE TOTAL FREEDOM

With True Love, Nickos Koundardas"

imc::athens
- Homepage: http://athens.indymedia.org

[original article]