Death in Fleury

One terrible thing about political prisoners is the constant abuse they suffer on the hands of the states that consider them a threat to the status quo. The Basque political prisoners have it real bad, they are victims of an state of exception that in reality constitutes a gulag that grinds them down, taking away not only their lives, but extending that hell to their relatives and friends.

It is this constant persecution and harassment what is at blame for the death of Oihane Errazkin.

Here is the note at Berria:

Basque prisoner Oihane Errazkin found hanged in Fleury

The Askatasuna association says the "persecution" of Basque political prisoners and their dispersion are responsible for her death; it has asked the organisations that are keeping quiet to break their silence and has called for mobilisation

Eneko Bidegain – BAIONA (Bayonne)

Warders of the Fleury Merogis prison found the Basque prisoner Oihane Errazkin dead yesterday morning. 31-year-old Errazkin from Donostia (San Sebastian) is believed to have committed suicide; she had hanged herself. Mrs Leguedey of the French Prisons' Authority gave BERRIA few details about yesterday's events. She confirmed that prison warders had found her dead. "A judicial enquiry has begun. The Public Prosecutor is handling the matter. It's out of our hands." That was all she said.

Oihane Errazkin's body was taken away from the prison yesterday. It was at the Evry mortuary yesterday afternoon. Relatives and their lawyer set out for Paris. Jon Enparantza, the lawyer, told BERRIA from Paris that the relatives were going to see Oihane Errazkin's body at 09.00 this morning. Then a post-mortem examination was going to be performed. They would have another opportunity to see her body afterwards.

Her body will be brought to the Basque Country some time during the next few days. The plan is for tribute to be paid at the airport of Miarritze (Biarritz) when her body is brought back. After that a national demonstration will be organised in Donostia (San Sebastian) before a final tribute.

Errazkin's fellow prisoners Lorentxa Beyrie and Saroia Galarraga asked their trial to be postponed during their hearing yesterday. Beyrie and Galarraga, like Xabier Abaunza and Gabi Saez who were tried with them, were "devastated". The judge nevertheless decided to proceed with the trial. Those being tried said Oihane Errazkin had been "a victim of the French system".

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