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Title: Roger Noƫl Released Author: Fifth Estate Collective Date: 1983 Language: en Topics: state capitalism, Poland, political repression, anarchist movement, Fifth Estate, Fifth Estate #311 Source: Scanned from Fifth Estate #311, Winter 1983, vol. 17, no. 4, page 3
Roger Noƫl, a Belgian anarchist imprisoned in Warsaw since July 5, was
set free on November 26th by the Polish authorities after paying a fine
of 900,000 Zlotys ($900 U.S. currency). He was accused of smuggling
radio material into Poland and was sentenced to three years in jail or
the fine which was paid through the intermediary of the Belgian Embassy
in Warsaw, after having been raised in Belgium by the "Free Roger Noƫl
Committee."
As a result of having sent telegrams of protest concerning Noƫl's
imprisonment to the Polish and Belgian Embassies, the Fifth Estate
received a telegram in return from the Belgian Embassy notifying us of
Noƫl's release.
Noƫl came to international attention after being arrested July 5 by the
Warsaw militia and charged with assisting Radio Solidarnosc to make
illegal broadcasts. He was transmitting at the time of his seizure by
police. Noƫl was confined in a cell in Rakowieck Prison in Warsaw, and
faced a sentence of between 3 and 10 years, depending on the precise
nature of the charges that were to be brought against him. Only the
Belgian Ambassador in Warsaw was allowed to visit him and it was known
that Noƫl had been undergoing repeated interrogations and harassments by
the Polish dictatorship.
The Fifth Estate's attempt to have a telegram of support delivered to
Noƫl in prison was rebuffed by the prison authorities (who stated they
needed Roger's number before it could be delivered) making it clear the
Polish government was attempting to keep him isolated.
On the night of his arrest, Noƫl was seized along with two Radio
Solidarnosc workers while they were broadcasting "illegally" to the
Polish people. Though other members making broadcasts were able to
escape and continue Radio Solidarnosc, this second "pirate" radio
station was seized by the Polish police on August 31st.
Six years ago, disappointed with the inertia of the traditional Belgian
Anarchist movement, Noƫl, along with a number of others, pooled their
resources and skills and began the self-managed ASBL 22 March printery
in Brussels. Among other things, the collective produces a monthly
anti-authoritarian newspaper and has managed to involve itself in a
variety of struggles in Belgium. Roger Noƫl and the collective were
involved in printing material for Solidarity which was smuggled into
Poland. Having traveled clandestinely into Poland on several food
convoys, Noƫl was able to make contact with various anarcho-syndicalists
and brought out valuable information about the situation there. As a
moving spirit of the Association for the Freedom of the Air Waves, Noƫl
was a great asset to the Solidarity underground and had delivered a
transmitter clandestinely to Radio Solidarnosc hidden in medical
equipment.
A "Free Roger Noƫl" Committee was established in Brussels to coordinate
efforts to put pressure on the Polish authorities to release him. Noƫl's
comrades at the 22 March printing works called for an international
campaign of solidarity to secure his release, asking that it be set
within a framework of demands for the end of repression in Poland, and
the release of all Solidarnosc prisoners.
Roger Noƫl is free! Now free all Polish political prisoners.