Greeks framed me, claims Briton in jail hunger strike

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1068650,00.html

Greeks framed me, claims Briton in jail hunger strike

Campaigner facing 25-year sentence says video of anti-capitalist demo will prove police planted weapons

Rebecca Allison
Thursday October 23, 2003
The Guardian

A British campaigner facing a possible 25-year jail sentence after being arrested during anti-capitalist demonstrations in Greece four months ago claims video evidence proves that police planted molotov cocktails and other weapons on him.

Simon Chapman, 30, from Basildon, Essex, was with thousands of other anti-capitalist protesters at the EU summit in Salonika on June 21, when he was arrested and allegedly beaten by police after rioting broke out.

The graphic designer was later charged with eight serious offences including possession and use of molotov cocktails, arson, rebellion against the state and grievous harm. He was imprisoned with six other activists and is awaiting trial.

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A photograph from Reuters shows Mr Chapman, wearing a blue and purple rucksack, lying on the ground apparently being kicked by a policeman in riot gear.

Footage from ET3, seen by the Guardian, then shows him being marched away by a group of policemen minus his bag. He is then filmed sitting on the side of the road with blood pouring down his face. The lens switches to the other side of the road where a police officer is showing an open black bag containing molotov cocktails to the camera.

It is not clear where the bag came from or why the contents are being displayed in this way. Another policeman is then seen to put an axe and hammer in the bag before placing it next to Mr Chapman.

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Mr Chapman said he was taken down a side street holding the bag but then refused to carry it any further. He said he was beaten again and eventually capitulated and picked it up.

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for more info please see http://www.freesimonchapman.org