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Simon Chapman - Charges dropped
February 16, 2004 9:34 AM
Sarah Ludford met with Simon Chapman when he was temporarily allowed to return to the UK in January
Baroness Sarah Ludford, London MEP and European justice spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats has warmly welcomed the acquittal and release of Simon Chapman.
On 13th February Greek courts accepted defence claims that police evidence was unreliable and ruled that there was therefore insufficient evidence to link Simon with any illegal activity at the June 12th Thessaloniki summit anti-globalisation protests. Simon has always maintained he was protesting peacefully.
Sarah Ludford said:
"I'm delighted that Simon has been vindicated by the judges and is now safely back in the UK. His family have suffered a great deal as a result of these false accusations but now he can start getting his normal life back.
"I will continue to work at EU level to ensure higher standards of justice throughout Europe. My work with Simon Chapman, and with the British planespotters before him, highlights the urgent need to give real meaning to the right to policing with integrity and a fair trial in Europe.
"I am demanding a formal independent investigation into apparent police malpractice. Since their so-called 'evidence' has been rejected by the court, we need to get at the truth about possible fabrication."
Note
Simon Chapman was arrested on 12th June 2003 when he was attending protests at the Thessaloniki EU summit. He was accused of throwing Molotov cocktails and was charged with serious offences carrying a possible 25 year jail term. He always claimed that he was framed by the police and was on hunger strike for 7 weeks before being released on bail pending trial.
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