Maysoon Majidi is finally free: ‘I have paid a very high price for my views’

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Kurdish filmmaker and activist Maysoon Majidi got an early preview of the outcome of her trial, if one reads between the lines of Tuesday’s order by the Crotone judges releasing her from prison. It lays out the grounds for what is likely to come on Nov. 27, the date of the final hearing in her trial in which she is accused of being a “people smuggler” by helping those driving the boat that she and dozens of other desperate migrants traveled on, landing on the coast of Calabria on Dec. 31, 2023.

For the time being, Maysoon is free, but she hasn’t been found innocent yet. Nonetheless, the Crotone court judges write: “The witnesses heard at today's hearing have largely cut down the scope of the indictment framework, as it emerged that Majidi, instead of playing a key role in facilitating the captain's conduct in connection with the crime of illegal immigration, was instead only a migrant on board the vessel.” They conclude that “the scenario formulated by the defense” is plausible.

Attorney Giancarlo Liberati, Maysoon's defense lawyer, was very satisfied: “The judges saw the convergence of the testimonies towards our truth,” the Reggio Emilia-based lawyer explained, “and so they came to the conclusion that there are no serious indications of a crime. It follows that my client cannot be punished for the crime she is charged with. We are confident. We believe that the final examination of the evidence will strengthen the conclusions laid out in this order.” 

Liberati also stresses that afterwards they “will seek compensation for wrongful imprisonment. This girl has suffered too much. We will call for the intervention of the President of the Republic Mattarella and the European authorities. Maysoon has the right to be a citizen of this state and of the entire EU.”

Maysoon herself is even more confident and happy. After dropping by the Reggio Calabria jail to pick up her belongings, she went to a house belonging to her lawyer, where she will stay as a guest. Fresh out of the hair salon, she answered our questions.

What was the most difficult moment for you?

After facing a terrible journey, I thought the dangers were now over. Instead, I found myself in an even tougher situation. This caused me serious psychological turmoil. I wondered why this was happening, what had I done wrong. I couldn’t find any answers. I went through terrible days.

Do you plan to stay in Italy when this whole story is over?

I have faith in justice. I will certainly stay until the final sentence. I didn’t come here just to have a better life, but first of all I wanted, and want, to be safe, because I fled from persecution. They’ve been accusing me of everything, even saying that I was living the good life before I left, which is absurd. I have always fought for the rights of others, so I have paid a very high price for my views: my rights were taken away. Of course, I can’t wait to be reunited with my brother Rayan, who is in Germany. He’s only 24 years old. I’m like a mom to him. I’ll go as soon as the Italian authorities allow me to.

You’re a political activist yourself. How did you feel when you received solidarity from so many activists?

It helped me to hang on, knowing that there were young women and men my age (I’m 28) and also older people who were willing to fight for me on the outside. And I was happy to receive their hugs when I was released. It’s as if they were my family members. I really believe in the value of friendship.

How will you remember the time in prison?

I met all kinds of people on the inside. It was a little less bad in Reggio Calabria, both in my relationship with the guards and with the other inmates.

Who would you like to thank for your release?

It’s impossible to mention everyone. I’ll recall a few, but I would like to give a hug to the others as well as soon as I can. The first names that come to mind are Dr. Ferdinando Laghi, Mimmo Lucano, Laura Boldrini, Marco Grimaldi, Anna Laura Orrico, Gulala Salih, the Free Maysoon committee.

You are Kurdish, born in Iran. What do you think about the conflicts that are breaking out in the Middle East?

Our people, the Kurdish people, live in a condition of permanent oppression. We are divided across scattered lands, in every direction, but almost no media is talking about us. And yet, we fought ISIS on the battlefield. In recent weeks, Erdogan has ordered olive trees to be cut down in the lands inhabited by the Kurds and transported to Turkey. After slaughtering us, they want to starve us. All the wars being fought in the Middle East sometimes end up taking attention away from other conflicts.

What do you think about the hunt for the “boatmen” among migrants?

I don't understand what that word is supposed to mean. There is a huge difference between someone who is driving a boat out of desperation and someone who is trafficking human beings. It is absurd that these two roles are being mixed up.

You are familiar with the case of Marjan Jamali, who was also arrested on the same charge. What message do you have for her?

Yes, I’ve heard about her story and I know of other similar cases. I want to tell her: Have courage! In the end, justice will triumph and you will be free. I will go and attend her trial on Monday.

How do you plan to continue your political and artistic activities in Europe?

I will keep writing and drawing. I'd like to tell the stories of the people I've met in recent months, as well as my own. And then I want to get back to working in film. I feel it’s my duty to document the plight of thousands of other refugees.

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Originally published at https://ilmanifesto.it/maysoon-finalmente-libera-ma-ho-pagato-un-prezzo-altissimo on 2024-10-24