News about long-term political prisoner in Spain

The International Solidarity for Political Prisoners was informed and we are alarmed about the serious health condition of political prisoner Maria José Baños. Her right to medical access should be immediately granted, she must not stay longer under such prison conditions!

The Barcelona Anti-Repression Platform and the Ponent Anti-Repression Platform have launched a campaign for the freedom of political prisoner Maria José Baños, in which it stated:

“The Spanish State is about to commit another crime of state! If we do not prevent it, María José Baños Andújar could lose her life, a victim of the Spanish State’s policy of extermination of political prisoners.

María José is 60 years old and is an anti-fascist political prisoner of GRAPO. She has spent more than 20 years in various prisons. Her crime? Having defended by all means the rights and freedoms that are constantly denied to us. Among the illnesses she suffers from are hepatitis C, HIV, intermittent claudication and other serious circulatory problems, as well as mental health issues.

Over the last 10 years, her health has deteriorated increasingly. The chronic illnesses she suffers from have affected her overall health, both physical and mental. Not only is she not being provided with adequate medical treatment in prison, but on several occasions, for no apparent reason, her prescribed medication has been withdrawn, interrupting her treatment intermittently for days or even weeks, until, following complaints, they are forced to resume supplying her with the medication. As a result of her deteriorating health, María José continues to lose weight, reaching extremely worrying levels, which makes it even more difficult for her to carry out any activity.

By keeping her imprisoned, the Spanish State is violating its own prison legislation, which establishes immediate release for prisoners suffering from serious and incurable illnesses, as is her case. The situation is so scandalous that even the National Court has been unable to deny the seriousness of her medical condition, but instead of complying with the law and ordering her release, it has preferred to transfer responsibility to the prison, which will now have to make a decision.

While the few businessmen, corrupt politicians or convicted police officers who have set foot in prison have been immediately released on the grounds of serious illness, our people – the anti-fascist political prisoners – are being exterminated in prison.

It is our responsibility to prevent another state crime. It is in our hands to secure her immediate release. Spread the word about her case, write to the prison demanding her release, spread solidarity with her in the streets of your neighbourhood or in your workplaces or schools.

Immediate release for María José Baños!”

more info: https://www.presos.org.es/

Also the Red Aid of Marseilles published an information booklet on the situation of the Spanish political prisoners.