Release Alain Solé now!

The Cornish Branch of the Celtic League are writing to the Irish Government and other polititians in the Celtic countries asking them to intervene on behalf of a Breton prisoner who is being held in detention by the French authorities, despite rapidly deteriorating health. Mr Solé was sentenced in March 2004 to

The Cornish Branch of the Celtic League are writing to the Irish Government and other polititians in the Celtic countries asking them to intervene on behalf of a Breton prisoner who is being held in detention by the

French authorities, despite rapidly deteriorating health.

Mr Solé was sentenced in March 2004 to 6 years in jail for his involvement

with the Breton Revolutionary Army (ARB), an accusation he has always

denied. Despite having served nearly four and a half years in jail

without trial with a serious health condition, Mr Solé health has

continued to deteriorate due to poor medical attention and treatment

by the French authorities. While in detention Mr Solé has had a major

heart operation, which he was not properly treated for and has also

attempted suicide.

Under French law, Mr Solé could be released under the Kouchner Law

that makes provision for the release of seriously ill prisoners.

However, last Friday Mr Solé was informed that he would be released

on parole under this law, only to find out on Satuday that the State

Prosecution had appealed this decision. This means that Mr Solé is

still in jail with no clear idea as to when or if he will be released.

Amnesty International have also campaigned for the release of Mr Solé

and the European Court of Humans Right in Strasbourg have condemned

France treatment of its prisoners.

CARB, a Breton organisation campaigning for the rights of the prisoners,

believe that should Mr Sole lose his life due to the emotional shock

that his continued detention has, the French Government will be entirely

to blame.

On 1st August, CARB are organising a demonstration in Lorient, which

will begin outside the Town Hall at 3pm. Representatives from the

Cornish Branch will try to attend the demo and would like to hear

from all those who also hope to attend.

(Report prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, Kernow branch)

Bernard Moffatt

Secretary General