Releasing Marek

Dear Family!

Marek needs our help.

He was unexpectedly arrested on 6th November in Greece and informed about a recent sentence that was passed on him. He was then sent to prison. Marek never received any notice about the court case taking place and did not even have a chance to defend himself.

The reason for his arrest was the possession of 5kg of unprocessed chacruna (psychotria viridis) leaves that he ordered legally online. It was delivered by an official courier, who was accompanied by police officers. After the incident, the shop where he made his purchase confirmed that to their knowledge the leaves in unprocessed form are not prohibited by law, which was also Marek's understanding.

The delivery took place in August 2017. They told him that they will investigate the leaves and he will be informed if and what the charges are against him and if and when the court case will take place.

He was allowed to travel freely in and out of Greece and he regularly presented himself at the police station once a month for the last 3,5years. Therefore, he was neither hiding nor being hard to find as he stayed at the same address.

Greek authorities claim to have delivered the notice of his court case in July 2020, by sticking it to the door as nobody was present. Marek and I were abroad at that time and did not find any notice on the door on our return.

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Marek is a biotherapist with over 30 years of experience. He has spent most of his life helping people to get well using different means and techniques, one of which is herbal recommendations in particular cases if needed. He is 69 years old and had never been in conflict with law before that.

In 5 weeks he is about to become a father of a baby girl that I am carrying.

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We managed to appeal against the court judgement, so there will be an appeal hearing. At this moment we are about to apply for his release from prison to await the court at home with his growing family.

To continue to support Marek and ensure his release we need 15000 euros.

These costs are:

1. Fee collection note for appearing in court:

a. Application for suspension of execution:

- Submission: 214 E plus tax. 24%, total sum: 265,36 euros

- Αppearance before court: 491 E plus tax. 24%, total sum: 608,84 euros

b. Court of Appeal :

- Submission: 104 E plus tax. 24%, total sum: 128,95 euros

- Αppearance before court: 983 E plus tax. 24%, total sum: 1.218,92 euros

Total: 2.222,07 euros

2. Barristers fee:

a. Application and Αppearance before court for suspension of execution: 1.700 E plus tax. 24%, total sum: 2.108 euros

b. Court of Appeal : 3.200 E plus tax. 24%, total sum: 3.968 euros

3. Experts fees:

a. Report on the legal status of Psychotria Viridis (DMT) in Europe and Latin America - 1.250 E plus tax. 24%, total sum: 1.550 euros

b. Report on chemical properties - uses of Psychotria Viridis (DMT) - 1.250 E plus tax. 24%, total sum: 1.550 euros

c. Translations of relevant international literature: 2.000 E plus tax. 24%, total sum: 2.480 euro

4. Additional costs

a. Marek's expenses in the prison (eg. phone cards to communicate with me)

b. My expenses to support him (eg. transport, phone calls, post, extra costs of helpers who support me while alone in the last month of pregnancy)

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Due to the covid situation our travels became very limited this year and we have a baby coming, so it is very difficult for us to handle this financially.

This is an urgent call as we hope for the release application to be decided by a court in about 3 weeks and most of the costs (except for the Appeal Court) will need to be covered this month.

Until then Marek is in Patra prison. He stays strong and patient, but he needs our support.

If you feel like sharing donation for this fund, we would be very grateful.

Thank you for your time, attention and generous contribution.

Much love

Agnieszka

(contact: +306986754297, [email protected])