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?"
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman