Pubdate: Mon, 30 Jul 2007 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2007 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Aldo Santin Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) ANOTHER BIRTHDAY IN GREEK PRISON Friends Seek Transfer To Canadian Custody KEVIN Hiebert celebrates his 33rd birthday today the same way he's marked the previous seven -- from the inside of a Greek prison cell. But friends of the former West Kildonan resident are rallying to support him and generate pressure to get him transferred to Canada to serve out his sentence. Hiebert was arrested in October 1999 at an Athens airport as he tried to smuggle two kilograms of cocaine in the heels of three pairs of shoes. "Kevin made one bad mistake and he's served his time -- longer than anyone else would have -- and he wants to come back to Canada," said Ryan McDonald, who grew up with Hiebert in West Kildonan. Facebook site McDonald has started a group for Hiebert in the popular social networking website Facebook (Free Kevin Hiebert at www.facebook.com) that has already attracted the support of several other longtime friends who weren't aware that Hiebert is in a Greek prison. "A lot of people are asking what's happened to him and we're coming up with some ideas," McDonald said. McDonald said he hopes the listing in Facebook will generate a grassroots campaign that can raise some money for Hiebert and put pressure on the Canadian government to facilitate his transfer to a Canadian prison. "No one has stepped up for Kevin and we're going to change that," McDonald said. Hiebert was one of seven Winnipeggers arrested for drug-smuggling in late 1999 and early 2000, allegedly tied to the same smuggling operation. The RCMP said at the time that all were likely recruited on behalf of a Nigerian drug-trafficking ring operating out of Greece. The first four people arrested in September 1999 in Amsterdam led authorities to Hiebert. Police were waiting for him at the Athens airport. At Hiebert's trial the following September, his Greek lawyer told him he could expect a sentence of three to five years but the judges shocked the courtroom when they imposed a life sentence, with no eligibility of parole for 10 to 15 years, and a US$150,000 fine. Hiebert immediately wanted to appeal the sentence but was told that a hearing couldn't be held until 2005 at the earliest. He was told that his best bet would be to apply for a transfer to Canada, where he could serve his sentence in a Canadian prison. But to do that, he would have to sign away his right to an appeal. The Greek authorities were originally supportive of the move but backed away when Canadian Embassy officials erroneously told them that the maximum conviction for a similar conviction here was three years -- in fact the maximum sentence in Canada is the same, a life sentence, but the most likely sentence for a first offender like Hiebert would be three to five years. Hiebert's applied three times now to Greek justice officials for a transfer to serve his sentence in Canada, but each time he's been told he hasn't served enough time to satisfy Greek justice. Lawyer Michael Mercury, who has worked with the family in the past, said he's dismayed that three successive Canadian governments haven't demanded that the Greeks honour the prisoner-transfer treaty. "I'm really surprised that nothing has been done," Mercury said. "Kevin was a mule in that drug operation. The other people arrested with him have already served their time and been released but Kevin has been in prison for eight years. I can't understand why Canada has not demanded the Greeks... honour the terms of the treaty." Hiebert's incarceration has taken a toll on his family. His mother felt betrayed by the lifestyle he was living at the time and after his sentencing suffered a nervous breakdown. His parents have since separated and they've sold their home. Hiebert's father, Dick Hiebert, said he tries to support his son emotionally and financially but adds he's been living on a CPP disability pension since an auto accident in 1993. "I'm grateful that Kevin's friends are trying to help him," the elder Hiebert, 60, said this week. He said his son is often frustrated with his situation but that he tries to keep him positive and hopeful. Dick Hiebert said that his son has accepted responsibility for his actions but added he believes it's time for him to come home. "He's done eight years... it's enough," Hiebert said. McDonald said Hiebert calls him often and he keeps him informed of what's going on back home. "He has days when he's depressed but I think he'll be OK mentally." During a recent telephone interview from the Malandrino prison 200 kilometres northwest of Athens, Hiebert said he's surprised that McDonald is trying to help him, adding he's avoided lobbying for help in any way. Hiebert said he's tried to stay hopeful but added that the repeated rejections from Greek authorities for his transfer are taking their toll. "Prison life makes you feel isolated and the longer you're here, the further away you feel from society," Hiebert said. "I don't know how much more I can handle. I don't want to scare anybody but... it's a prison. It's a nightmare environment." Hiebert escaped unhurt from a prison riot in April, when several hundred inmates took to the roof for several days to protest living conditions. Hiebert said he's passed his time by working at the prison canteen, reading, exercising and playing soccer and basketball with other inmates. He said he's still hopeful that Greece will send him to Canada but admits that he no longer expects to hear good news when he makes his next application. "I'm looking at spending 16 years here," Hiebert said. "The Canadian government has its hands full and I'm last on their list. What can I do?" - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman