Recent CO Action alerts

War Resisters' International learned today from the Greek Association of Conscientious Objectors that CO Lazaros Petromelides (GR12008) was arrested unexpectedly on 17 September 2002.

More refuseniks were imprisoned in Israel last week, two of them got their second sentence.

Jonathan Ben-Artzi (ISR12371), a 19-year-old draftee, was sentenced for the second time on 4 September 2002, after being released on 3 September. He was again sentenced to 28 days in Military Prison No 4.

Uri Ya'acobi (ISR12376) was also sentenced for the second time. He was sentenced to 28 days in Military Prison No 4 on 1 September 2002.

Igor Seke (YU10813), who reported to his military barracks in Pljevlja on 4 September 2002, and was sent home one day later with the order to report to his recruitment center in Ruma until 9 September 2002, was again ordered to report to military barracks today. He reported to the military department in Sremska Mitrovica (of which Ruma is a part) yesterday, and had a talk with Commander Savo Mrdja. He told Igor Seke that he was responsible for sending him to the barracks in Pljevlja in Montenegro, as Igor Seke's CO application irritated him.

Igor Seke (YU10813) and Goran Miladinovic (YU12368) will report to their respective military barracks and refuse to wear a uniform and to bear arms this week. Igor Seke has to report to the barracks in Pljevlja today, and Goran Miladinovic has to present himself in Nis on 5 September.
Below is background information on both cases. Please continue sending protest letters to:

President of FR Yugoslavia

Vojislav.Kostunica@gov.yu

War Resisters' International learned today about three more refuseniks, who were imprisoned during the last week in Israel.

First Sergeant L.Y. (ISR12520 - wishes to remain anonymous) was sentenced to 14 days on 25 August for refusing to serve in the Occupied Territories. He is imprisoned in Military prison No 6, and due to be released on 5 September.

Staff Sergeant (res.) Ophir Bedusa (ISR12521) was sentenced to 28 days for refusing to serve in the Occupied Territories on 22 August. He too is imprisoned in Military prison No 6. He is due to be released on 15 September 2002.

War Resisters' International learned today that German total objector Thomas R. Kroll was again sentenced to 21 days of military arrest, after already having spent 42 days in arrest. Thomas Kroll reported to the military barracks in Bad Reichenhall on 1 July 2002. After some days during which the military authorities didn't really know how to deal with a total objector, and tried to threaten him, he was first arrested on 4 July 2002, for 7 days. A second arrest - of 14 days - followed on 11 July, and ended on 24 July.

Two conscientious objectors were rejected in Yugoslavia. Both have to report to the military on 3 September, to begin their military service. Igor Seke (YU10813) and Goran Miladinovic (YU12368) both applied for conscientious objection, and both are willing to perform alternative civilian service. Article 137 of the Yugoslav Constitution (which is presently redrafted) recognises the right to conscientious objection: "Compulsory military service shall be universal and performed in the manner established by federal statute.

War Resisters' International learned of four more refuseniks who were imprisoned last week.

Five more refuseniks were imprisoned recently in Israel, most of whom got sentences of 28 days.

Sgt. Shahar Samucha (ISR12369) was sentenced on 14 August, and is due to be released on 5 September. He is imprisoned in Military Prison No 6.

Ron Smilanski (ISR12370) was sentenced on 13 August, and is due to be released on 5 September. He too is imprisoned in Military Prison No 6.

Conscientious objector Victor Sabranski (ISR12053) was imprisoned for the fifth time last Sunday (11 August). He was again sentenced to 28 days, after having spent 98 days in prison already. Victor Sabranski was first imprisoned for 28 days on 26 April. After his release on 19 May, he was again sentenced on 23 May, and released on 17 June. A third prison term - from 23 June to 18 July - followed. He then was imprisoned for a fourth time - for 14 days - and is now serving his fifth prison term.

War Resisters' International received information from Yesh Gvul today that six new refuseniks were imprisoned in Israel recently.

Lieut. Udi Elifantz (ISR13030), 31, was sentenced to 28 days on 30 July. Sgt. Ran Ron (ISR13031), 36, was sentenced to 28 days on 31 July. Both are serving their prison term in Military Prison No 6 (Athlit).

War Resisters' International learned today that two more refuseniks were jailed in Israel recenlty.

Ori Toker-Meimon (ISR12342), 32, a trainee in paediatric medicine in the Sha'are Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem, was sentenced to 28 days in prison on 21 July for his refusal to perform reserves service in the Occupied Territories. He is due out of prison on 14 August. His prison address is: Lieut. Ori Toker-Meimon
Military ID 4609349
Officers' Ward
Military Prison No. 6
Military postal code 01860, IDF
Israel

War Resisters' International learned today that German total objector Thomas Kroll is in military arrest since 3 July. Thomas Kroll reported to the barracks in Bad Reichenhall on 1 July. It seems that during the first days the soldiers didn't really know how to deal with a total objector, and so Thomas Kroll wasn't officially arrested, but spent his days with a mattress and blanket at the officer in charge. Commander Hauptmann Hartung tried to threaten Thomas Kroll and his mother with three years imprisonment, but without any effect.

Six refuseniks were sentenced recently in Israel, but only two were sent to jail immediately.

Shuki Sadeh (ISR12333) was sentenced to 28 days, and was sent to Military Prison No 4.

U. T. (ISR12334 - wishes to remain anonymous) was sentenced to 28 days in Military Prison No 6.

Rami Kaplan (ISR12329) was sentenced to 28 days, although he refused to be tried and demanded a court-martial. He is at home until Monday.

Uri Shein (ISR12330) was sentenced to 28 days, and he too is at home until Monday.

Ro'i Barsai (ISR12331) too was sentenced to 28 days and is at home until Monday.

War Resisters' International was informed today that on 2 July a Turkmenistan court sentenced Nikolai Shelekhov to a repeated prison term for his conscientious objection to military service. Nikolai Shelekhov, 21, a Jehovah's Witness, was sentenced to one and a half years imprisonment. Nikolai Shelekhov was already sentenced to one year in prison on 21 August 2000, which was approved by an appeal court on 10 October 2000.