We demand: Freedom!

Press information 
Appeal process against Ahmed H. in Hungary: 10 years in prison for „Act of terrorism and illegal border crossing“ - The solidarity campaign is calling for his acquittal

On June 15th, at 12pm the process against Ahmed H. will take place at the court of appeal in Szeged [1], Hungary. Ahmed has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in November 2016. The charges against him: illegal border crossing and „terrorism“. The sentence had created quite a stir across Europe. 

Ahmed was arrested on the 16th of September after mass protests on the southern border crossing Röszke. Hungary had closed its border to Serbia the night before. Thousands where suddenly stuck and could no longer flee along the Balkanroute. Ahmed H. had been arbitrarily arrested with ten other refugees (the so-called "Röszke 11"). By massively misusing 'evidences' the Court punished him very harshly for using a megaphone: Whereas the other ten have already completed their imprisonments of 1-3 years and could move on, Ahmed H. as their alleged 'leader' has faced prison reality since September 2015.

In May 2017 the show trials against the Röszke 11 were also condemned by the European Parliament's resolution against Hungary.[2] Hungary's government recently responded by accusing the EU Parliament of supporting terrorism [3]. Other well-known international organizations criticized the judgement sharply [4]. Additionally an employee of the involved translation agency was recently convicted of perjury and sentenced because of manipulating and falsificating the statements of one defendant [5].

The high prison sentence is part of a Hungarian - but also European-wide - racist discourse against refugees, which serve as potential terrorists that can be targeted anytime by the state and the judiciary. This trial is an example of the extent to which authoritarian governments can use the terrorism discourse to delegitimize and criminalize unwelcome social groups and protest.

We, the solidarity campaign "Free the Röszke 11" [6], which supports Ahmed H. and the other ten defendants, demand the acquittal and immediate release of Ahmed H. Additionally we demand compensation and the general rehabilitation of the other ten already convicted. Because: Freedom of Movement is not a crime!

[1] The trial takes place on June 15th from 12pm at the Court of Appeal, Szeged. Its address: Szegedi Ítélőtábla, Sóhordó utca 5, Szeged. Attendance requires registration until June 9th 2017: http://szegediitelotabla.birosag.hu/targyalasi-jegyzek/20170601/terrorcselekmeny-es-mas-buncselekmeny-roszken-elozetes. During the appeal trial Ahmed H. is represented by the lawfirm of ex-minister of justice Peter Bárándy http://barandypeter.hu/.

[2] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//NONSGML+TA+P8-TA-2017-0216+0+DOC+PDF+V0//EN

[3] http://www.kormany.hu/en/ministry-of-foreign-affairs-and-trade/news/the-government-will-be-turning-to-various-international-organisations-because-of-the-ep-ruling

[4] https://www.amnesty.org/en/get-involved/take-action/ahmed-h/

[5] https://dailynewshungary.com/translator-migrant-trials-charged-perjury/

[6] www.freetheroszke11.weebly.com

---