37 Greek academics ,activists, writers and students demand Release of Poet Varvara Rao and other Political Prisoners

June 27 , ATHENS

Save the life of the Indian writer and activist Varavara Rao!

Varavara Rao, a poet, a writer, an activist and an advocate of democratic and social rights for decades against the arbitrariness of Indian governments, has been jailed for almost two years along with ten other activists, lawyers, journalists, etc.

They are all accused of inciting violent incidents in the Bhima Koregaon case, a charge that is considered false, while the government for the last two years has failed to prove the charges in court to start the trial.

The conditions in the prisons, where these prisoners of conscience are being held, are said to be unhealthy and the threat of the Coronavirus pandemic spreading has increased the risks.

Varavara Rao, at the age of 80, has been tested and proved to be positive for COVID-19 and has many concomitant illnesses. His condition reveals the absolute neglect of his health by the prison authorities.

We join our voices with academics from all over the world, intellectuals, journalists, members of the Indian Parliament, international humanitarian organizations, the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) and others, and we demand the immediate release of Varavara Rao and the other pre-trial imprisoned activists of the same case.

Aggeli Dialekti, Journalist

Aggelidis Dimitris, Journalist

Arkolakis Manolis, Historian, Member of Collaborating Teaching Staff, Greek Open University

Choumerianos Manolis, Academic, Panteion University, Athens

Daskalopoulos Antonis, Journalist

Daskalopoulou Ntina, Journalist

Droukas Giorgos, Journalist

Gerotziafas Grigoris, Academic, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris

Gravaris Dionisis, Academic, Panteion University, Athens

Grollios Giorgos, Academic, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Groui Eleni, Journalist

Kafaraki Eleftheria, Board Member of the Students’ Union of the Film School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Kaltsonis Dimitris, Academic, Panteion University, Athens

Kandilioti Kostoula, Lawyer

Kimpouropoulos Giannis, Journalist

Kouzis Giannis, Academic, Panteion University, Athens

Manos Dimitris, Teacher, Author

Mavridis Heraklis, Academic, Panteion University, Athens

Michalakis Kostas, Teacher, Historian, Author

Mpaskakis Giannis, Journalist

Nikolaou Alkaios, Board Member of the Students’ Union of the Film School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Nitsa Zoi, Board Member of the Students’ Union of the School of Architecture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Papageorgiou Stavros, Board Member of the Students’ Union of the School of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Papatheodorou Christos, Academic, Panteion University, Athens

Papavasileiou Nikos, Teacher, Member of the Executive Secretariat of the Prefectural Department of ADEDY Samos

Pavlidis Dimitris, Economist, Member of the Solidarity Committee, Thessaloniki

Rousis Giorgos, Emeritus Professor of Panteion, Athens

Sakellaropoulos Spiros, Academic, Panteion University, Athens

Smirlakis Giannis, Journalist

Tessi Giota, Journalist

Triggos Michalis, Board Member of the Students’ Union of the School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Tsakiroglou Tasos, Journalist

Tsiaras Giorgos, Journalist

Tziantzi Afroditi, Journalist

Tzima Stavroula, Board Member of the Students’ Union of the School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Zafeiropoulos Kostas, Journalist

Zormpala Tina, Academic, University of the Aegean

ISSUED BY Pavlidis Dimitris, Economist who is Member of the Solidarity Committee