Mario Bango is a 19-year old anti-fascist Roma in Slowakia. He has been in prison since 10 March 2001. His brother was attacked by a Nazi Skinhead and he intervened to help him. In this fight the Nazi was seriously wounded and died a few weeks later. Mario immediately called the police and ambulance and waited for them to arrive. He was arrested on spot and he is now threatened with a long prison sentence. A growing solidarity movement has been built in Slovakia and across the world. In September 2001 Michael Pröebsting – one of the co-ordinators of the solidarity movement – had the opportunity to visit Mario in prison for the first time since he was arrested.
Q: Mario, how are you?
MB: Well, I'm now in prison since half a year. Of course the prison conditions are not easy. Particularly in the first phase there were some prison guards who sympathised with the Nazis and who threatened me. Fortunately you alerted the international public and since then they leave me alone. It is really sad that I'm only allowed to receive visits once a month and only for one hour. Except all this my conditions are normal. But food is terrible here! I hope that finally my detention will end soon and the trial starts.
Q: Do you know anything when the prosecution will be finally fixed and when the trial should start?
MB: It is not totally certain but most probably the charge should become official in September.
Q: Could you briefly explain for our readers why you are in prison?
MB: I defended my brother Edo when he was attacked by a Skinhead. Edo was already attacked by Nazis last year and subsequently was in hospital for two weeks. You should know that we Roma are in fact fair game for Nazis. Again and again Roma are attacked on the streets. In the last few months two Roma have been murdered. The 51 year old Roma Karol Sendrei was beaten to death in police custody. And recently the young Roma Milan Daniel was beaten to death by three Nazi Skinheads. When they were asked by the police why they have done this they answered: "Because he was a Roma!" This atmosphere of racism and violence is the reason why an increasing number of Roma enters the street only as a group or with a weapon for defence like a knife.
Q: How much are you informed by the developments outside the prison?
MB: Through letters, my lawyer and the few visits I'm more or less up to date. I'm particularly motivated by the solidarity of so many people around the world. President Schuster was already forced to reply in writing because of so many protest letters. Here in Slovakia conditions are more difficult. There were many reports in newspapers and TV about my case. But most of them were inflammatory and claimed that Edo any myself were in fact thieves who were stopped by a "brave citizen" i.e. the Nazi. This is a typical racist stereotype against Roma that we are all criminals. My lawyer charged them and one paper already apologised.
Particularly bad is the fact that the parliament had a minute of silence for the dead Nazi. But I hope that the solidarity movement will grow stronger also here in Slovakia.
Q: Would you like to say something to our readers?
MB: I would like to thank to the many people who support the solidarity activities. If the Slovak president is forced to reply to the protest letters than we can see that solidarity can move something. Your solidarity is a strong moral support for me and makes me strong. I will never give up!
Q: I think I am speaking for many people if I wish you the best. We will continue our efforts in the solidarity work.
Call for donations Solidarity which goes beyond words also needs money! The family of Mario owes the lawyer 89.000 Slovak Krones which is around 30.000 Austrian Schillings or 1.360 British pound. Mario's family is a poor working class family and naturally can not afford to pay such a sum. But we must not let Mario down now! We appeal to everyone who sympathises with Mario to send a donation to keep the legal defence of Mario running.
Send donations to the Mario solidarity fund in Austria, Vienna Bank Austria.
Bank account: 502-009932/00.
Bank code: 12000.
More information see:
m.proebsting@netway.at
Tel: +43-1-676-4068314