Greeks light flame for Beijing Olympics amid tensions over Tibet

Reporters Without Borders’ representatives arrested in Greece, then freed on bail pending trial for “contempt”

On March 24, three Reporters Without Borders’ representatives, arrested for unfurling a banner showing the Olympic rings transformed into handcuffs at the official Olympic torch-lighting ceremony, were freed on bail pending their trial, which has been scheduled for May 29 at 9:00 a.m. in Pyrgos (50 miles from Olympia).

They are charged with having “shown contempt for national symbols.” By virtue of Article 361 of the Greek Penal Code, they could be sentenced to a year in prison, and have to pay a fine.

"This is an absurd and senseless charge. By making that gesture, we were in no way attacking the Olympic spirit, or Greece. We were simply protesting against the policy being carried out in China during this period of intensifying repression. We also wanted to use the threat of boycotting the Games’ opening ceremony, an initiative we support, and encourage the International Olympic Committee to urge the Chinese government to respect human rights, as called for under the Olympic Charter," the organization asserted.

Reporters Without Borders’ three representatives will hold a news conference after debarking from their airplane (flight originating from Athens) on March 25 at 12:05 p.m. in the Charles de Gaulle airport (Olympic Airlines flight OA201).

"ridenrain" said
Oh look. The CBC "lost" this story too.

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