Coalition launches international competition

Coalition for the Immediate End to the 129a Proceedings
c/o Haus der Demokratie und Menschenrechte e.V.
Greifswalder Straße 4
D-10405 Berlin
Germany
einstellung [at] so36.net
http://einstellung.so36.net
Phone +49 1577-4300652

Berlin, 22nd October 2007

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Coalition launches international competition
No terror before four -- or: what exactly is an after-work terrorist?

The Federal Prosecution is after it. The red-green coalition is trying to redefine it. The Federal Court has to evaluate it and our friends are to be charged because of it.

The Phantom Called "Terrorism"

The German criminal legislation paragraph 129a enables the prosecution of terrorist activity or membership in a terrorist organisation, but even the highest judges of Germany are not quite sure what terrorism actually is. The Federal Minister for Justice doesn't think that 9/11 was terrorism, but everyone's scared of it. German criminal legislation, the UN and also the EU have no clear definition of the term "terrorism". We're now asking: What exactly is terrorism? Who is a terrorist? And what's a terrorist act?

The Coalition for the Immediate End to the 129a Proceedings is searching for definitions of terrorism: legal, humorous or political. Entries to the competition can be in the form of texts, photos, videos, podcasts, postcards, posters; they can be artistic, intellectual or journalistic. They can be submitted by individuals, collectives or by anonymous contributors. The deadline is November 30th 2007.

An international panel will consider the entries and select the best ones for awards. At the end of 2007 the best contributions will be publicly exhibited and celebrated with an award ceremony.

We would be delighted if you would report this novel and extraordinary competition in your publication. For further information or questions, please contact us on the number above. Further information: http://einstellung.so36.net/en/what-is-terror

Notes to the Editors:
On June 31st 2007 Oliver, Florian and Axel were arrested. The police accused them of an attempted arson attack on three German military vehicles. Additionally, Andrej was arrested at home. He is accused of meeting with one of the other accused twice in a conspiratorial manner. All seven individuals are accused of membership in a terrorist organisation (militant group) under the anti-terrorism legislation § 129a.

Andrej was released on bail after a few weeks and has since had to report regularly. The Federal Prosecution has lodged an appeal against his release, which the Federal Court of Justice has not yet responded to. The Court has declared that it is currently deliberating whether the case will continue to be dealt with under the charge of membership in a terrorist organisation or whether further investigations will be carried out with respect to alleged arson.

Source: Coalition for the Immediate End to the 129a Proceedings | 22.10.2007