11 November 2009
UPDATES: Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, facing court martial for refusing to return to Afghanistan
 Lance Corporal Joe Glenton was arrested for refusing to return to Afghanistan, leading an anti-war demonstration and speaking to the media in defiance of orders.
He faces trial for charges which carry a sentence of up to 10 years.
Messages of support
Messages of support to joe can be sent to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Read messages of support here...
Protest at Joe Glenton's court martial hearing 29 January 2010
Joe appears before a judge for a preliminary hearing of his court martial on 29 January 2010. Stop the War will organise a picket of the court in support. The army has decided that the hearing will be held at Bulford Camp, about 10 miles from Andover, probably because it thinks holding it in Wiltshire will diminish media coverage. Stop the War will be organising transport to go to Bulford to give support to Joe. If you would be interested in going, please inform the Stop the War office: Call 020 7801 2768 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Here's one soldier who told the truth about Afghanistan: article by Mark Steel
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton's crime was to say we were making matters worse and to say publicly that it was immoral to carry on fighting. Read more...
18.12.09: Statement by Joe's solicitor John Tipple
Lance Corporal Joe Glenton was locked up in a military prison since 9th November until his release on the 9th December because of his stand against the war in Afghanistan.
At the last hearing Joe gave an undertaking: Not to contact any media agency directly or indirectly. If contacted directly or indirectly, must decline to comment, other than to say he may not by order of the Court Martial Not to appear at or lend support to any political meeting.
Joe gave this undertaking as since being locked up he has been diagnosed as suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He needs to be able to get proper treatment as it is evident that the Army have clearly not shown Joe a duty of care. It is therefore up to Joe to seek treatment for his PTSD if he is to be fit enough to face his Court Martial. Despite his request for treatment he has never been given any help from the Army.
The Ministry of Defence are worried about what Joe is saying and doing.They are determined to shut him up. The messages of support that Joe received when he was in Colchester Military jail inspired him and did not go unnoticed by the powers that be.
It is not possible for the court to stop other speaking out in favour of Joe’s stand against the war. Joe has made his position clear: The war in Afghanistan is illegal the methods employed in conducting the war are unlawful and he is not prepared to return to fight it. It is up to his supporters, which are many, to keep up the pressure and ensure that Joe’s stand against this war is raised as an important part of the resistance to Brown and his warmongers.
John Tipple
Linn & Associates Solicitors
Joe Glenton's mother, Sue Glenton
"You've got government ministers, army commanders and MPs speaking every day in support of the war. What's so scary about a lance corporal having his say? My son is only speaking out for what he thinks is right."
Malalai Joya, Afghan MP, activist for women's rights in Afghanistan
Malalai Joya, often called the bravest women in Afghanistan sent this message of support to Joe:
"Dear Joe, Stay strong! The majority of the Afghan people are with you and we respect and admire the stand you have taken. When there is no justice, it is better for honest people to go even to jail rather than go to war. Down with the occupation. I send you my warmest greetings and solidarity."
Read more messages of support here...
|
