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British man awaiting trial in Greece over a protest towards the Beijing Olympics has voiced fears that the case has been delayed till after the Video games to keep away from embarrassment to China
Jason Leith, 34, faces as much as 5 years in jail if convicted of making an attempt to wreck a historic monument after he attended an Olympic flame-lighting ceremony at Olympia in October.
He was one in every of three activists who waved indicators together with a Tibetan flag and banners studying “No Genocide video games” in the course of the occasion.
Mr Leith, who works for the Free Tibet motion, stated the trio had been arrested moments after unfurling the indicators and had no plan to trigger any injury within the archaeological website.
Their trial was initially set for the eve of the Winter Olympics on February 3, however on Thursday it was adjourned at District Court docket Pyrgos to December 1.
Talking to the PA information company, he stated: “We didn’t go along with any intention of any destruction and it didn’t occur.
“We went to have our voices heard and to face with the folks whose voices can’t be heard.
“It was most likely a minute earlier than we had been pushed to the bottom by safety and police who had been on the Olympia.”
The activists, amongst whom are an American and a Tibetan-Canadian, spent two nights in police custody earlier than being launched, their attorneys have stated.
“It actually appears like there was outdoors strain to try to enhance (the) cost to present us precise jail sentences,” Mr Leith stated.
“It’s scary. Clearly the considered spending any period of time in jail, particularly one not on this nation, is horrifying, however on the identical time I stand by what I did. I’d do it once more in a heartbeat.”
Simply earlier than the Olympics, it was prone to be within the media and get a whole lot of consideration. If the trial occurs as soon as the Olympics are over, its possibilities of being observed are a lot slimmer
He added that the protest had been towards the alleged mistreatment of Uyghur and alleged repression of Tibetan folks and the delay to proceedings would imply China suffered much less detrimental consideration.
“Simply earlier than the Olympics, it was prone to be within the media and get a whole lot of consideration. If the trial occurs as soon as the Olympics are over, its possibilities of being observed are a lot slimmer.”
Michael Polak on the authorized assist group Justice Overseas, who had flown in from London on behalf of the defendants, stated his requests on Thursday for the case to be heard had been denied.
“On Thursday, we really made a request and stated, ‘why aren’t you listening to this case?’ and so they denied it,” he stated.
The courtroom gave no purpose for the delay, in keeping with Mr Polak.
“We’d say that this matter is being adjourned in order that the courtroom wouldn’t have to present a call on the eve of the Beijing Olympics.”
China invests closely in Greece and, on the top of the Greek debt disaster, acquired a majority stake within the strategic port of Piraeus.
“Greece’s authorities is among the governments in Europe which is most intently related to China. It appears very suspicious,” Mr Polak advised PA.
A courtroom official stated on Friday it could not be commenting on the tribunal’s choice, in keeping with The Guardian.
PA understands the International Workplace had not been requested for assist in Mr Leith’s case as of Friday however stands prepared to supply consular help if required.
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