On May 13, Comrade Margarita Popova, Third Secretary of the IYFL, issued a statement in connection with the arrest of activists in Kenya.
The full text of the statement follows.
In the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, during protests against the France-Africa summit and the neo-colonial policies of Western countries, leaders of the international organisation “World Anti-Imperialist Platform” (WAP) were arrested – Professor Dimitrios Patelis of the University of Crete, Joti Brar, Co-Chairperson of one of the communist parties of Great Britain, Song Dan Bi, head of the international department of the People’s Democracy Party of the Republic of Korea, and others.
We condemn the neo-colonial policy of France and its allies, who are trying to use Kenya as a new stronghold for the redistribution of African natural and human resources. The detention of our comrades is a targeted attempt to violently suppress an honest and principled stance.
We demand the immediate release of all detained activists without preconditions, the guarantee of their physical safety, and an end to political repression against participants in the anti-imperialist movement.
At present, nine Kenyan protesters arrested yesterday have been released by the court as the prosecution stated a lack of evidence and is withdrawing the charges. However, the five remaining protesters from France, the United Kingdom, Greece and the Republic of Korea remain detained at the Kilimani and Central police stations in Nairobi, Kenya, despite the absence of formal charges.
We call for the immediate release of Guy Bremond – France; Dimitrios Patelis – Greece; Joti Brar – Britain; Lee Sang Hun – Republic of Korea; Song Dan Bi – Republic of Korea.
We will not abandon our comrades in trouble. Freedom to the arrested. Down with neo-colonialism.
