The comrades Monica and Francisco remain in preventive prison, the other three comrades are released.
After remaining locked up since their arrest on November 13 at the hands of the antiterrorist police, their exact location unknown, on November 17 the judge of the high level court Audiencia Nacional, Eloy Velasco, handed down “provisional imprisonment,” which would be equal to “preventive prison” in Chilean justice, for the comrades Monica and Francisco [nT: both of whom were recently absolved in the “bombs case” in Chile and had since moved to Barcelona]. The length of the “investigation” period is unknown [nT: but under Spanish justice can last 2 years].
The crimes for which they are finally being accused are:
- belonging to a terrorist organization
- terrorist damages (placing an explosive device in Zaragoza) [nT: in October a bomb was detonated in the Basilica de Pilar in Zaragoza, with a communique claiming responsibility signed by “Comando Insurreccional Mateo Morral” and referencing the role of the church in the colonization of South America]
- Conspiracy to commit terrorist damages (Alleged plans for an attack on the Monastery of Montserrat in Barcelona).
On the other hand, the comrade Valeria [nT: from Italy], the comrade Gerardo [nT: from Argentina], and the comrade Rocío [nT: from Chile] were released after being held incommunicado 5 days. Their passports were seized and they are obliged to sign in periodically at court.
We greet the 3 comrades who are now on the street after being in the disgusting hands of the antiterrorist section.
It is expected that the comrades Francisco and Monica will be interned in the brutal isolation regime F.I.E.S. and that they will be dispersed to separate and distant cities in Spain. We do not remain indifferent or comfortable with our comrades in the jaws of Power. We remind you that the comrade Monica has a vegan diet, which she maintained throughout the political imprisonment she faced in 2010 [nT: during the bombs case], which is something to take into consideration during the daily life in prison, wherever it may occur.
Internationalist solidarity and rebellion for Monica and Francisco.
Comrades let’s not forget them and not let them be alone!
[Some words on the background from the translator, only regarding what can be spoken of publicly and has already appeared in the media: The Spanish media have made a big deal about the foreign nationality of the arrested comrades. For at least a year leading up to the arrests, the Catalan and Spanish media have been preparing the figure of the foreign anarchist terrorist (principally Italian or South American), claiming that Barcelona or Spain more generally have become havens for such terrorists.
The Commando Insurreccional Mateo Morral also claimed responsibility for a bombing at the beginning of the year, at a cathedral in Madrid. Spanish National Police claim they caught Francisco and Monica thanks to surveillance video footage of the two travelling to Zaragoza in public transportation and around the Basilica. They claim to be searching through old footage hoping to also connect the two to the earlier bombing in Madrid.
The arrests were timed to occur right before elections in Chile. The Interior Ministries in Spain and Chile have been in contact regarding the arrests, and in the days immediately after the arrests every major Chilean politician made statements, to the effect of, “We were right after all” (about the 14 comrades arrested in the Bombs Case being responsible for the bombings they were acquitted of), also calling for new judges, tougher laws, and always believing the police. It is possible they will have greater political consequences in Chile than in Spain. The Chilean government has sent out a warning of possible reprisal attacks against Chilean embassies and businesses, particularly in Greece, Italy, and Spain.]
Source: http://www.alasbarricadas.org/noticias/node/26921
