The criminalization of opinion in Britain.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by paiktis22
BTW latest news say that the UK "courts" refused him bail.

Isn't that typical in terrorism related cases?

[Ozz]

Originally posted by DinoDoc

Isn't that typical in terrorism related cases?

It would be typical for any foreigner, regardless of the
case.

[Bereta_Eder]

Ozz your fanatism for UK is well known and exposes you.

You can't find anything because they also postponed the "case" for 8 April.

I find it interesting that no brit comes forward but only trolls.

DD, what "Terrorism case"? Books?

[mactbone]

I was interestede to see what was going on and I found the site where he posted the text that Axi posted.

Link is http://www.che-lives.com/cgi/communi...=11&topic=1855 and he used his own last name. He registered in Oct. and posted once (that post) on Nov. 2, 2002.

So this begs the question - if this is why the Brits arrested him, are they so inept as to take a quarter of a year to do it? There's more to it than Paiktis or Axi know.

Here's the BBC article on the hearing -

Greek man denies terror charges

A Greek man who studied at university in the north-east of England has appeared in court on terrorism charges.
Charalumvos Dousemetzis, 25, a former student at Northumbria University in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, appeared before magistrates in Bedlington, Northumberland.

He pleaded not guilty and the case was adjourned until 8 April for a committal hearing.

Dousemetzis, who has lived in Britain for the past eight years, is accused of possessing articles which may be used in connection with the instigation, preparation, or commission of an act of terrorism.

He was arrested at an address in Heaton, Newcastle last month and was charged on March 3 with two offences under section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

In early March 2003 the Greek government complained to the Foreign Office that it had not been informed of the arrest.

[Worthingtons]

Paiktis, Is there really anything to discuss in this thread?
did you create the thread to discuss this issue, or to troll more about England? I'll respond to a troll in the way it deserves...

Briefly coming on Topic, What is more important, the opinion of one individual, or the security of the Nation?? he has been arrested on suspision of a very serious crime and we are right not to grant him bail.

I suppose you think it's right that bloody Captain Hook is not in Jail? if he was an anti Greek living in Athens I'm sure it would be a different story.

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by Ozz
But I suspect it will be yet another vain attempt to smear the British.

They seem to be doing a great job by themselves.

Greek justice released the convicted on bail. AFAIK they were foreigners too.

[Ozz]

Originally posted by paiktis22
Ozz your fanatism for UK is well known and exposes you.

I'm just here to watch you snack back on crow, that is
after you get yer foot out of yer mouth.

Can't wait for the 9th

[Bereta_Eder]

your apperreance here is welcomed. You make the UK look more of a fool that it does.

However back to the point.

It is interesting that not even ONE english came forth to condemn this "law".

Which is why I speak about a fundamental want for a democratic injection in british political "culture".

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by Rothy
Briefly coming on Topic, What is more important, the opinion of one individual, or the security of the Nation??

The freedom of one indivindual to express himself freely and not be persecuted for whathe thinks or says, like in every democracy.

And certaintly having books on you is not a criminal offence in Europe.


I'm amazed that you asked this question. Tells a lot really.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by paiktis22
And certaintly having books on you is not a criminal offence in Europe.

I take it that you haven't been to Germany lately.

[Flubber]

Is there a news source for this ?? I didn't see anything on this during a cursory search of a BBC site


Quite simply, in any westen democracy, merely holding unpopular opinions is insufficient for a VALID arrest. It is the manner in which one acts on those opinions and beliefs that MAY be a crime. Here, I have insufficient information to judge whther this particular arrest was valid or not. I somehow doubt that the guy was arrested for things as simple as paiktis claims but it is possible that some police got overzealous.


This danger exists in any state no matter how ideal as long as there are individuals with police powers. So YES in the UK, Canada or Greece, anyone can get arrested by simply pissing off a police officer. Lets say you sxpressed certain opinions about the officers lineage or sexuality etc . Its a wrongful arrest but there it is. Can you be arrested for an opinion ??? Sure.

This is all obvious stuff. The real issue comes when an individual is held and charged with something; in essence the state then is confirming a belief in the validity of that arrest. Only then do you have a good idea of the evidence against them. heck, lots of people get arrested so that can't run or interfere while the police try to gather more evidence. So the guy got arrested . . . so what ???

I would only worry about the state of civil liberties in the UK if

1. there is actual confirmation of the evidence against him and it turns out to be as scanty as portrayed on this thread and

2. we know the precise charges that the state is pursuing

For now , we are commenting on third hand infrmation provided by a person with some obvious biases. Get the facts . . . until then, any discussion of this individual case is pretty futile

[Bereta_Eder]

you antiterrorism "law" has no pararel in Europe in what regards blatant supression of civil liberties.
And that's not my opinion but that of top criminologists.

[Bereta_Eder]

and so what about the arrest??!!!

You DONT arrest people because they have books in their possession.

It's that simple. (at least in Europe)

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by paiktis22
It's that simple. (at least in Europe)

They just declare them illegal and ban thier sale. Much simpler that way.

[Provost Harrison]

Don't planespotters have a right to spot planes? Or should they be thrown in jail just for simple possessing binoculars?

Touche