Matthias Monroy

The antifascist Rexhino “Gino” Abazaj explains about his arrest, right-wing politics and leftist struggles in Europe

Interview: John Malamatinas, Matthias Monroy

You were born in Albania, then lived in Italy, and were eventually arrested in Finland. What were you doing there?
I grew up in Italy and lived there for 20 years. I consider Italian my first language even. Then I decided to move to Finland, I got married and spent some 9 years there: I learned the language, studied and worked there. In both countries I was active in the political and social movements. One day I got arrested by a standard unit of the Helsinki police in front of my house and placed in jail for the weekend. On Monday the judge decided to let me free with the ankle tag/bracelet, to continue with my ordinary life while having the trial for extradition to Hungary. Three months after, I lost the case on the district Helsinki court, the appeal was then made but the case wasn’t taken by the supreme court. I then decided to cut the ankle tag and leave the country.

However, you were placed in extradition custody in France. How did that happen?
I finally decided to hide and settle in Paris, to wait and take some time to reflect on what can be done next and how to continue the fight against the Budapest complex. After five months I was finally tracked by the police, precisely by the SDAT (Anti-terrorist Sub-direction) arrested, brought to jail and then finally to the prison of Fresnes. It is not clear which foreign partner helped and tipped them about my presence in France, it could have been the German police, the Hungarian one as a private company who was able to track me.

Can you tell us about your background and how you first got involved in antifascist activism?
As a teenager I started to see the deep problems in Italy, like racism, the rise of right-wing groups, the advance of Berlusconi and its neo-liberal empire and the condition of the working class. Plus, most of my schoolmates’ families were more privileged than mine. My family was of course hit by the global crisis of 2008. This connection to politics was made easier through my participation in the underground musical scene and subcultural environment. Since elementary school I obviously studied the history of the XX century, particularly the two World Wars and the Cold War. Italian schools at the time – 90s and early 2000 – offered the study of the Holocaust as well with Italian survivors. It was clear for me that fascism was a threat in the past and wasn’t completely relegated to history, and that antifascism was an important value, always. As last, one of my grandfathers was a young communist partisan who participated in the campaign to hunt the Nazi invaders and kick them out of Albania and through Yugoslavia too to support the Tito’s partisans. It was clear for me where to stand, I was and I am not alone for sure.

What were the conditions of your detention like, and how did they impact you physically and mentally?
Fresnes is one, if not, the worst prison in France. Unless you have access to various activities – sport, cultural – each prisoner is locked in his cell 22 hours a day, assuming that one goes everyday to the fresh air. It was difficult at the beginning because I entered with few of my items and clothes I had during my arrest, so I had only TV to help me kill the time. I did also train my body a bit, but not as much as I would do in a gym. I had no access to those services I mentioned above: I couldn’t go to library, the gym nor the larger “football” field where you can decently run. The air time spaces are much smaller and divided yards, by group of prisoners according to their cell position in the building.

There was a lot of solidarity. What did you experience from that while in prison?
Shortly after a week I started to receive lots of letters and postcards, then some clothes, books and a sudoku book. I felt quickly the warmth of my friends and comrades, then also of many people that I don’t know but who felt important to send me their thoughts and strength; that made a difference and helped me a lot. I could then spend some time reading and training my brain.

If extradited to Hungary, you face up to 22 years in prison. What concerns do you have about receiving a fair trial under the Hungarian justice system?
When I was arrested in France, the papers sent by Hungary reported that I risk up to 16 years of prison; when the judges ordered further documents by sending questions to the Hungarian authorities, the latter answered imprecisely to most questions and reported a new number: up to 22 years. A judiciary magic. Me and my lawyers have many huge concerns about the systematic problems of the Hungarian justice. It has been very difficult for Ilaria Salis and Maja T. to fight in the trial, the judge (which is the same for them as for Tobi) has hard prejudice towards us, pushed by Orbán’s political friends (with their journalists) who smashed our photos and names in the media and social media, calling us “criminals” and “terrorists” too. A so called democratic country. A State of rights only on the façade thanks to their formal adherence to the European Union.

Many people following your case see it as part of a broader crackdown on antifascist movements. Do you agree? What do you think your case says about the current political climate?
It’s not possible to not see this as a crackdown on the movements. There is an ongoing hunt for antifascists in Europe, it’s a fact given the tenacity of the Hungarian regime and the German state. I don’t maybe need to explain to the readers the existence of “Soko Linx” [the police department in Saxonia investigating German and European antifascists]. The attack is broader, it didn’t start with Budapest nor with the Antifa Ost case, there are many examples in Europe. Capitalism is once again in decay and the far-right is on the rise everywhere; the social movements and their protests for more social and political rights, more democratic power and better working conditions need to be then contained or cracked. So antifascists are one among many to be dealt with. It’s bad, but also nothing we hadn’t seen before. Sadly many tend to forget history and draw lessons from.

If you could send one message to fellow activists and supporters around the world, what would it be?
Never bow down your head. Stand strong for yourself, the ones you love, your family and friends, the world of people who fight everyday against the injustice of the capitalist world. In many corners of the globe people fight for a true democratic society that refuses the systemic violence and exploitation on the living beings and the land.

“Rexhino ‘Gino’ Abazaj is awaiting a court decision in France regarding his extradition to Budapest, which is expected this Wednesday. In the Hungarian capital, he is to be tried for attacks on neo-Nazis during the ‘Day of Honor’.”

Published in German in „nd“.