GERMANY: Two total objectors in military arrest

Two German total objectors, both from Bremen in Northern Germany, are presently in military arrest in two different military barracks. Both have been called up for military service on 1 October, and went to their respective barracks, only to refuse to obey any orders.

Jannes von Bestenbostel had to go to the Trukft Roland barracks, in Brandenburg. Because there are not enough cells in Brandenburg, he is always transferred to Beelitz for arrest.

Simon Alexander Lieberg was called up to serve in Varel, at a parachooters unit, which is part of Germany rapid deployment forces.

It is usual practice for total objectors to serve between 63 and 84 days in military arrest, in installments of first 7, then 14, and then 21 days. After this period, the case will be transferred to civilian courts, where they will be tried for disobeying orders.

War Resisters' International calls for letters of support to Jannes von Bestenbostel and Simon Alexander Lieberg, Jannes von Bestenbostel
Trukft Roland-Kaserne
Fohrder Landstrasse 33
14772 Brandenburg
Germany

Simon Alexander Lieberg
Fallschirmjaegerbattalion 33
Frieslandkaserne
26316 Varel
Germany

War Resisters' International calls for protest letters to the German Minister for Defence, Peter Struck, other German authorities, and German embassies abroad.

Peter Struck
Minister for Defence
Stauffenbergstraße 18
10785 Berlin
Germany
phone +49-18 88-24 00
fax +49-18 88-24 83 33
email peter.struck@bundestag.de
To send a protest letter by email, go to http://wri-irg.org/co/alerts/20031022a.html. A list of German embassies can be found at http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/www/en/laenderinfos/adressen/.

War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of Jannes von Bestenbostel, Simon Alexander Lieberg, and all other imprisoned conscientious objectors.

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International