Paul was arrested at the protests against the EU summit in Gothenburg when the police surrounded a school being used as a convergence center (in a foretaste of Genoa). On 25th July he was convicted of violent rioting. According to the BBC he was seen on video throwing stones. He was sentenced to one year and under Swedish law will sever two thirds of his sentence. His lawyers are considering an appeal. At the same time, jail terms ranging from 18 to 15 months were handed out to a 25-year-old German and two Swedes, aged 20 and 38. Paul was shocked and disheartened by the length of his sentence, which will be made worse by the difficulty of having visits so far from home.
Please write letters of support at this difficult time.
Write to:
Paul Robinson
Goteburg Remand Centre (Haktet)
Goteburg Polis Headquaters (Polis Huset)
Box 429
40126 Goteburg
SWEDEN
From: "Sara Ayech" <sara_ayech@hotmail.com>
Letter to Swedish embassy re: Paul Robinson
Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2001
Dear comrades
below is a letter that we are sending to the swedish ambassador to put pressure on his government to release Paul Robinson. Please distribute ASAP. Paul is currently held in isolation in remand prison in Gothenberg you can write to him and send him B'day cards (his B'day is on July 4th) to the following address:
Paul Robinson
Göteborg Remand Centre (Haktet)
Göteborg Polis Headquarters (Polis Huset)
Box 429
40126 Göteborg
Sweden
Please note that on the FIRST 'o' in Goteborg there aretwo dots above the 'o'. Also on the 'a' in 'Haktet'
Thanks a lot.
Here is the letter:
Dear Sirs/Madam
I am writing to express my disgust that three people were shot at a street party, by Swedish police in Gothenberg on June 15th. I understand that one of these people was shot in the back while running away, and is now in a critical condition in hospital. Contrary to the Swedish police version of events, the policeman who fired was not in any danger and his actions cannot be justified.
I am also concerned about the case of Paul Robinson, the man from Britian who is currently being held by Swedish police, following the demonstrations in Gothenborg.
Paul has baton injuries to his head, and further injuries to his legs and back which are consistent with having been kicked.
Paul is being held in isolation and has not been allowed to phone his family or friends to let them know that he is alright.
Paul has been appointed a lawyer by the court, but has been unable to seek or have access to independent legal advice. The only people who have been allowed to visit him are the court appointed lawyer and the British consulate. The British consulate is a personal friend of Lennart Ronnebro - the police officer in charge of Paul's case.
Paul has been subject to trial by media. He has been accused by the British media of being a ringleader of the anarchists, and playing a part in the organising of violence. Both of these accusations are completety untrue and there is no evidence evidence what so ever of thse claims. Paul is not a member of any organised political group. He has no contacts with any groups or individuals in Sweden and he did not participate with the organising of the events in Gothenberg. He was not present at the June 18 protests in the City of London, nor at the Mayday protests in 2000, nor in Prague last year or Nice earlier this year. How can he be a ringleader if he is never present.
I am also concerned that Lennart Ronnebro - the police officer in charge of Paul's case - has made statements to the British press which could prejudice the outcome of any future trial.
In November 1999, Paul was arrested during an anti-privatisation rally which was in support of rail unions, at Euston Station, London. This demonstations was suported by Unison - the UK public services union, who encouraged their members to support the rally. Paul is a Unison member. He was found not guilty and acquitted by a British court, yet the Swedish police have said that they plan to use evidence from
this case in Paul's case in Sweden. They do not accept that Paul was found not guilty, and that there is no evidence to suggest that he has ever played any part in organising violence.
Paul has worked, for the past 3 years, in a library, and is a member of Unison, the UK public services union. His local branch of Unison have given Paul their full support, and are urging all Unison members, members of other trade unions, and individuals to do the same.
Gothenberg was the first demonstration Paul had been to in another country, and he went there to make a non-violent protest.
So many of Paul's basic Human Rights are being violated that we are certain a grave injustice against him is about to be committed by the Swedish authorities. We are concerned for his welfare, his isolation and those basic Human Rights.
We call upon the British media to report these injustices, we call upon the Swedish authorities to put an end to these injustices and we call upon the Foreign Office of the British Government to do its utmost to secure Paul's immediate release.
Send to:
Mats Bergquist
Ambassadör/Ambassador/Ambassadeur
Embassy of Sweden
11 Montagu Place
LONDON W1H 2AL Tel: +44 20 791 76 400 (växel)
Fax: +44 20 7724 4174
E-mail: ambassaden.london@foreign.ministry.se
embassy@swednet.org.uk
Web: www.uk-embassy.swednet.net/