Prison Struggle

Copenhagen trial report from 'Ungdomshuset' riots

The accused were arrested in the riots in Denmark for the autonomous house project 'Ungdomshuset' which was evicted. The two decades long housing project was an important part of the European squatter/autonomous scene and was home to many anti-capitalist and anarchist projects, as well as hosting a bar, punk gigs, presentations etc. The riots were described by police and government as the worst social disorder since World War 2.

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Italian man's and Portuguese woman's court case:

Important note: It is forbidden to bring the names of the persons accused. The following was said in court today. This is not necessarily the truth. Any personal comments will be in square brackets.

The trial was today and the penalties was this:

Italian man:
- 4 months
- Eviction and banned from Denmark for 5 years
- Have to pay the costs of the court case

Portuguese woman:
- 60 days
- Eviction and banned from Denmark for 5 years
- Have to pay the costs of the court case

Comments:

- Portuguese woman will be sent home to Portugal within the next 6 days. - It is common for foreigners to be released after half of their penalty, as they are taking up prison space, [so the Italian man will most likely be sent to Italy soon.]
- Both have a 14 days possibility to plead the case, as well as the prosecutor have.

What they were convicted for:

Italian man:
- law 134a Rioting Heavy disturbance of law and order on Norrebro (neighbourhood where Ungdomshuset lies). Participated in riots in common understanding with many people. Throwing firecracker and continuation of the riots. law 134a plays a big role in the punishment.

- law 134b Wearing mask [Only a fine, so that can be "ignored" as the penalty is "cancelled" because he have to go to jail]

- law 191, #2 Heavy assault against property. Stone against cash machine. Even if it was previously destroyed he still joined in.

law 191, #2 plays a big role in the punishment. [During the court case the Italian man confessed having thrown a rock]

- law 191, #1 Light assault against property. Placed a firecracker/ thunderflash on the wheel of a driving police car. [law 191, #1 plays a some role in the punishment, because of the intention of stopping the police from doing their job.]


Portuguese woman:
- law 134b Wearing mask [Only a fine, so that can be "ignored" as the penalty is "cancelled" because she have to go to jail]

- law 119 #1 Violence against police in function. Thrown heavy rock against the police, having tried to kick an officer in the groin and tried bite him in the knee. The punishment lies in tradition with the general level for this kind of charge.


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