Avelino Gonzalez Claudio-Newest PRican Political Prisoner
The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign ProLibertad@hotmail.com and ProLibertad.campaign@gmail.com http://www.myspace.com/ProLibertad ProLibertad Hotline: 718-601-4751 The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign denounces the arrest of Avelino GOnzalez Claudio; the newest PUERTO RICAN POLITICAL PRISONER!! ProLibertad organized a very militant and powerful picket infront of 26 Federal Plaza!! Write to him: Avelino Gonzalez-Claudio #09873-000 Below is an AP article on his hearing on Monday and the a statment from his support committee... Durante la tarde de ayer se llevó a cabo en la corte yanki en Puerto Rico la vista de identificación y extradición del compañero Avelino González Claudio. El compañero fue acusado en agosto de 1985 junto a otros compañeros y compañeras patriotas por la expropiación de $7 millones de dólares de la Wells Fargo en Hartford, CT. Desde ese entonces estuvo en el clandestinaje. Adjuntamos la declaración que durante la tarde de ayer el compañero presentó frente al magistrado López. Associated Press
MDC Guaynabo
P.O. Box 2005
Catano, PR 00963
Feb. 11, 2008
Although presumed Machetero Avelino González Claudio requested that he be
tried in Puerto Rico and declared himself a “political prisoner,” federal
magistrate Marcos López ordered his extradition to Hartford, Connecticut,
in a generally automatic judicial proceeding.
González Claudio’s lawyer also denounced to the judge that his client is
receiving “inhumane treatment” en the federal prison, because he is being
held in a cell where the only window has been sealed with a sheet of metal
so he can’t see daylight.
Migdalia Torres, spokeswoman for MDC Guaynabo, stated in a letter written
to Associated Press that some cells in the prison are being repaired, and
that this work could require that the windows be temporarily sealed. She
denied that González Claudio is receiving special or different treatment
than the rest of the prisoners.
“The treatment of prisoner González Claudio is no different than that any
other detainee awaiting trial and with the same security needs,” Torres
declared in the letter.
González Claudio was arrested last week for allegedly participating in the
$7 million Wells Fargo robbery in Hartford, CT, on Sept. 12, 1983.
González Claudio stated that he responds to that name, although he
established through his legal representation that he does not recognize
the authority of the U.S. court in Puerto Rico to extradite him.
Avelino González Claudio does not deny his identity. This Puerto Rican
citizen in front of you is Avelino González Claudio,” Juan Ramón Acevedo
Cruz, lead defense attorney for the supposed member of the Boricua
People’s Army-Machetero, stated to magistrate Lopez.
“In terms of extradition, we vigorously object to any attempt by the U.S.
government to remove González Claudio from his home, Puerto Rico,” added
the attorney during the accused’s identification hearing.
Federal prosecutor Jose Ruiz indicated to AP that the extradition could
take more than 20 days and that if no bail is imposed in the jurisdiction
to which he will be transferred, he would remain incarcerated. “If bail is
imposed here, it is usually respected there,” Ruiz indicated.
According to Acevedo, González Claudio, as a “political prisoner,” demands
his right to remain in his home country, as stated by international law.
The attorney also demanded that the U.S. government comply with UN General
Assembly Resolution 1514, which declares colonialism to be “the negation
of a fundamental human right.”
“Since 1972, the UN Special Decolonization Committee has recognized the
inalienable right of Puerto Ricans to self-determination and independence
according to Resolution 1514,” added the attorney, citing the resolution.
The defense also requested a bail hearing, which was set by the magistrate
for Feb. 21 at 1:30 in the afternoon.
The federal prosecutor’s office, represented by Ruiz and Carlos Cardona,
did not object to guaranteeing the suspect’s bail hearing.
They successfully requested that González Claudio remain incarcerated in
MDC Guaynabo because he is considered “a flight risk” and “a danger to the
community” because he used false names for 22 years and due to the nature
of the crimes he is accused of.
The magistrate stated that the denunciation of inhumane treatment is not
under the court’s jurisdiction.
Faced with the attorney’s demands that he be able to visit González
Claudio in a visiting room and not in a conference room where they have no
privacy, and that his shackles be removed so he can sign documents, the
magistrate responded that the attorney would have to make the pertinent
arrangements with the federal BOP. He indicated that the tribunal could
only intervene if the situation persisted.
While the hearing was taking place, there was a protest by independence
organizations outside the federal building in Hato Rey.
“This court represents the interests of the empire and they will
faithfully follow the orders of Washington, but we are going to fight all
the legal battles so he can remain here,” expressed the accused’s brother,
Osvaldo González Claudio. He added that he hopes his brother will be tried
“by his peers” and not in Connecticut.
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