Victory of solidarity campaign
On December 9 the South African ministry of Justice has finally refused the demand of a Chilean military court to extradite Mr Yovanovic known as Professor Jota. Jota has been arrested during the Anti-imperialist Camp in Assisi, August 2002, despite the fact that he applied for political asylum in Italy as a political refugee still persecuted for his struggle against the Pinochet dictatorship. He immediately was expelled to South Africa from where he had proceeded to the gathering. In South Africa he was once again arrested for two months and then freed on bail.
Starting right from the Anti-imperialist Camp an international campaign against Jota´s extradition gathered the support of democratic and revolutionary forces all over the world. We asked: “How is it possible that the South Africa of the ANC and Mandela co-operates with the Chilean military of Pinochet?” Finally the judge had to follow our arguments that Jota is wanted for political reasons and refused the extradition. This victory could be obtained also thanks to the international campaign.
Still, we have to continue the struggle for political asylum for Jota in Europe.
