After the demonstration on Sunday 3 May under the Rossano prison to ask for the release of Salem Ahmad, this morning the MEP Mimmo Lucano visited the prisoners Salem Ahmad, Yaser Asaly and Reyad Bustanji.
The denial of the interpreter and the denunciation of the activists
As activists of the Corigliano-Rossano coordination for Palestine and activists of the Freedom Flotilla Italy, we denounce that the prison management prevented entry to Shokri Hroub, a Palestinian, interpreter, who had already supported Lucano and other parliamentarians in similar inspections in other prisons on other occasions, and a member of the Freedom Flotilla Italy.
The excuse given – declare Hroub and Lucano – is that only collaborators of parliamentarians can enter. An absolutely illogical and anti-democratic rule that does not protect the rights of prisoners. How can a parliamentarian – they continue – ascertain the health conditions of some of them without an interpreter?
The conditions of the prisoners and the inspection
In prison, Lucano first made an inspection tour and met some inmates, then spoke individually with Salem, Yaser and Reyad. Upon his exit he expressed his solidarity with the three Palestinians, highlighting in particular the health conditions of Reyad, who suffers from diabetes and urgently needs a urological visit.
“The crime of Palestine”: Lucan’s criticism
Their fault – says Lucano – is only that of being Palestinians and wanting to show solidarity with their people, who for 3 years now have been victims of a criminal genocide by Israel. Their detention is absurd and inconceivable, then I too am guilty of the crime of Palestine.
The fight against the war economy and the role of Calabria
We will continue to fight and support Salem, Yaser and Reyad – say the activists of the Calabrian coordinations for Palestine – until their final release. The accusations are political and aimed at criminalizing and repressing Palestinians and those who support them. Our Government continues to prove itself an accomplice of Israel and once again Italy is on the wrong side of history.
Calabria – they continue – is also at the center of the war economy through the port of Gioia Tauro, where dual use material is currently stationed and where in June 2025 some containers containing weapons destined for Israel were intercepted. To stop the genocide and the escalation of war – they conclude – we must stop the war economy!
Upcoming initiatives and mobilisations
Lucano and the activists say they are ready to organize a new visit to the prison, also involving other parliamentarians, to keep attention high on their story and to have the opportunity to carry out the talks in an appropriate manner.