French publisher arrested for participating in protests in France – Liberation

2023-04-18 12:35:16

In charge of foreign rights for the publishing house La Fabrique, a representative invited to the literary fair was arrested by British police on Monday 17 April. Two support rallies are planned simultaneously this Tuesday evening in Paris and London.

The London Book Fair is one of the biggest publishing events in Europe. Like many of his colleagues, Ernest, who represents foreign rights for the two independent houses La Fabrique and La Volte (editor of Alain Damasio), had planned to be present at this event which is held until April 20 at the palace. exhibitions at the Olympia, in the British capital. The publisher had more than 30 appointments scheduled over three days on its agenda. But on his arrival at Saint-Pancras station on the evening of Monday April 17 by the Eurostar, he was arrested by police and “is now being held without a lawyer for questioning under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 – on the pretext of verifying that he is not about to commit terrorist acts or in possession of material intended for a terrorist enterprise”. The joint press release from La Fabrique (Paris) and Verso Books (London) denounces “the scandalous treatment inflicted by the British police on our collaborator Ernest, a French national”. “His detention can last up to fourteen days without material evidence or prosecution”, they say at the Factory.

The police argued that he would have participated in demonstrations in France. “Such a statement from a British police officer is utter nonsense and seems to clearly indicate complicity with the French authorities on this matter,” the statement continues. The police seized Ernest’s phone and laptop and, when asked to give his access codes, he refused. This Tuesday morning, he was officially arrested and transferred to the police station, “charged with obstruction under Schedule 7 for his refusal to disclose his access codes”. “We view these actions as outrageous and unjustifiable violations of freedom of expression and as yet another example of the arbitrariness of anti-terrorism laws,” the statement continues. A petition from French and foreign publishers is underway.

The two publishing houses are calling for a rally in front of the British Embassy in Paris (35, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, VIIIe) this Tuesday, April 18 at 8 p.m. And at the same time in London in front of the French Institute to express their solidarity with Ernest and defend freedom of expression.