Greece: Freedom and Justice for Professor Saibaba!

May 10, 2017 C. Kistler Saibaba

The conviction of the English professor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi Gokarakonda Naga Saibaba has created sadness and indignation. The decision of the District and Sessions Court in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra to impose life imprisonement on Professor Saibaba and five other co-defendants is an unprecedentred decision in the judicial annals of India since its independence in 1947. Professor Saibaba, a 90% invalid since childhood, and restricted to a wheelchair, is accused, without any proof, that he had contacts with the illegal CP India (Maoist) and the naxalite guerilla movement. The accusations were based on his views and ideas as well as on his public political and social activities. It was indeed a rich activity, since his youth, alongside the poor and destitute Indians in the cities and the rural areas. What mainly irritated the indian state authorities were his struggles and condemnations, in India and internationally, of the violent operations of the police and paramilitary forces against the indigenous people in the hinterland of India. It is about an operation that is combined with the looting of land and forests by the multinational mining and construction companies. The conviction of Saibaba was based on provisions and articles of the anti-terrorist law (UAPA) that incriminates ideas, articles, books and public speeches, considering them preparatory terrorist deeds that undermine national security!
Besides his invalidity, professor Saibaba, due to his long incarceration, faces additional health problems. His life imprisonment in the harsh conditions of indian jails, the denial of medical and pharmaceutical help are equal to a conviction to a slow and tortuous death. For the life and freedom of professor Saibaba international humanitarian organizations have been mobilized, as well as the Indian Chapter of Amnesty International, and personalities of the Arts and Letters in Asia, Europe, and America.
With this joint letter, that is addressed to the government and judicial authorities in India, to its diplomatic representation in Greece and every international organization for humanitarian and democratic rights, we ask for the revocation of the unjust conviction and the immediate release of professor Saibaba. We demand that during his incarceration he must be under full medical and pharmaceutical support and he must be admitted to a medical institution. We join our protestation with the international solidarity movement, the professors and teachers of indian universities and the democratic organizations in India and abroad that are already mobilized so that professor Saibaba will be treated with justice and get freed!
The Signatories
Agapitos Thanassis – Member of the Board, Elementary Teachers Association of Thessaloniki (Second Chapter) – Regional Councilman Central Macedonia
Alexakis Yorgos – Member of the Board, Elementary Teachers Association of Thessaloniki (First Chapter)
Arkolakis Manolis – Vice-Chairman, Greek Open University Teachers Association
Atzidou Katerina – Chairman, Secondary Teachers Association of Paros-Antiparos Islands
Vitsilaki Chrissi – Professor, Aegean University
Vourtsaki Vana – Chairman, Elementary Teachers Association of Thessaloniki (Third Chapter)
Gertsos Zissis – Member of the Board, Secondary Teachers Association of Piraeus
Gouvias Dionissis – Assistant Professor, Aegean University
Daniel Maria – Member of the Board, Secondary Teachers Association of New Smyrna, Kalithea, Moschato – Athens
Diamantidis Takis – Chairman, Secondary Teachers Association of Samos Island
Zaganidis Christos – Chairman, Secondary Teachers Association of Thessaloniki (Fifth Chapter)
Zarkadis Yannis – Professor Molecular Biology, Medical School of Patras
Zorbala Tina – Academic, Chairman of Teachers Association Aegean University
Zimvrakaki Eleni – Chairman, Secondary Teachers Association of Thessaloniki (Fourth Chapter)
Iakovou Nena – Chairman, Elementary Teachers Association of Western Attica
Ioannou Kiriaki – Chairman, Elementary Teachers Association of Thessaloniki (Fifth Chapter)
Kavadias Yorgos – Member of the Board, Secondary Teachers Association of Piraeus
Kalomiris Grigoris – Member of the Board, Executive Committee of Public Servants Confederation
Kaltsonis Dimitris – Assistant Professor, Panteion University, Athens.
Kandilas Vaios – Chairman, Elementary Teachers Association of Ikaria – Fourni Islands
Karafili Avra – Member of the Board, Teachers Association Aegean University
Kariotis Dimitris – Chairman, Secondary Teachers Association of Western Attica (Eleusis)
Katsanevaki Zabia – Member of the Board, Teachers Association Polytechnic School, Athens
Katsikas Christos – Member of the Board, Secondary Teachers Association of New Smyrna, Kalithea, Moschato – Athens
Koklas Babis – Chairman, Secondary Teachers Association of Athens (Third Chapter)
Kourniotis Christos- Member of the Board, Secondary Teachers Association of Ano Liossia, Zefiri, Fili – Athens
Kreassidis Yorgos – Member of the Board, Secondary Teachers Association of Thessaloniki (First Chapter) – Member of the Board General Assembly of Public Servants Confederation
Lathiras Yanis – Chairman, Secondary Teachers Association of Thessaloniki (Third Chapter)
Magaliou Mata – Member of the Board, Elementary Teachers Association of Thessaloniki (Sixth Chapter)
Marinis Yanis – Chairman, Secondary Teachers Association of Peristeri – Athens
Pantelidis Dinos – Vice-Chairman, Elementary Teachers Association of Thessaloniki (Sixth Chapter)
Polichroniadis Dimitris – Chairman, Elementary Teachers Association of Maroussi – Athens
Primi Maria – Member of the Board, Secondary Teachers Association of New Smyrna, Kalithea, Moschato – Athens
Roussis Georgios – Professor Emeritus Panteion University – Athens
Samoilis Yanis – Chairman, Secondary Teachers Association of Ano Liossia, Zefiri, Fili – Athens
Sapounas Panagiotis – Member of the Board, Secondary Teachers Association of Kilkis
Seremetis Dimitris – Assistant Professor Aegean University
Fatourou Ageliki – Member of the Board, Secondary Teachers Association of Peristeri – Athens
Psimitis Michalis – Assistant Professor Aegean University
George Liodakis – Professor, Technical University of Greece
Michalakis Kostas – Member of the Board, Secondary Teachers Association of Trikala
Sakelaropoulos Spiros – Assistant Professor, Panteion University – Athens
05 May 2017