By "G8 2006 Info and Press Group"

This morning (16/07/06), around 30 people connected to the Russian "Network Against G8" blockaded the entrance of a Hotel in St. Petersburg where delegates to this year's G8 summit were staying.

The street was blockaded, banners held and flyers distributed. The message was, "No G8 Anywhere".

Anti-capitalists from Berlin, Cardif, Chishinau, Kiev, Minsk, Moscow, St. Petersberg and Warsaw took part in the action.

Police attacked the demonstrators and everyone was arrested. Some sat down and had to be carried away, others were brutally grabbed and dragged from the street.

A nearby photographer, suspected of being connected to the demonstrators was also arrested.

Those in custody have been refused food, water and access to lawyers.

This afternoon, an anti-G8 demonstration took place in Berlin, ending with a rally in front of the Russian embassy. A demand was issued for the immediate release of all protesters arrested for their alleged involvement in actions against the G8.

At least some of those arrested have been take to Police Station number 28, Marat Street 79, St. Petersberg, Russia. The phone number is 007 812 764 28 02. People have been asked to ring and show support for activists detained.

The following numbers are for embassies in St. Petersburg:

Germany 00 7 812 320 24 00, fax 00 7 812 579 32 42
Britain (St. Petersburg Consulate) 00 7 812 320 32 00, fax: 007 812 320 32 11
Britain (Moscow Embassy)  00 7 495 956 7200, fax: 00 7 495 956 7201
Poland 00 7 812 336 31 40
Ukrain 00 7 812 271 47 00, fax 00 7 812 271 47 77
Netherlands 00 7 812 334 0225, fax: 00 7 812334 0225

People are requested to ring and ask embassies to enquire into the well being of arrested demonstrators.

One of those arrested in Maxym Butkevich, a journalist from Kiev in the Ukrain and a participant in the Network Against G8. He has been threatened with worsened treatment after having requested a lawyer.

For further information, see:
http://int.ru.indymedia.org/
Or call the Legal Team on: 00 7 911 762 92 38 or 00 7 911 762 92 47
Or visit their live journal (in Russian only) at: http://g8_legalteam.livejournal.com/

Further information will also be posted to http://presse.gipfelsoli.org