SHARE
COPY LINK

GREENPEACE

Court fines Greenpeace nuclear activists

A Swedish court on Thursday fined 29 Greenpeace activists who broke into a nuclear power plant earlier this month.

The activists — 13 Germans, eight Poles, four Danes, a Frenchman, a Finn, a Swede and a Briton — were given fines ranging from €190 to 1,600 ($230-2,000) for trespassing, according to a copy of the judgment by the court in Uppsala obtained by AFP.

In a statement, Greenpeace welcomed the fact that activists were found guilty of the lesser charge of trespassing, and not aggravated trespassing as sought by the prosecutor.

A Polish activist was found guilty of violating arms laws by using tear gas, according to the court’s decision.

On June 14th, around 50 activists entered the nuclear plant in Forsmark, 150 kilometres (95 miles) north of the capital Stockholm, to protest the reversal of a moratorium on nuclear power by the centre-right government.

Three days later, the Swedish parliament approved the decision, clearing the way for the replacement of 10 reactors that are coming to the end of their lifespan.

Operated by public group Vattenfall, the plant in Forsmark was the site of a 2006 incident when a reactor overheated.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

GREENPEACE

Two hospitalized in Munich after activist crashes parachute into Euro 2020 stadium

At least two people were hospitalised Tuesday after a Greenpeace activist crash-landed on the pitch before the Germany-France match at Euro 2020 when his powered parachute microlight struck spidercam cables at Munich's Allianz Arena.

Two hospitalized in Munich after activist crashes parachute into Euro 2020 stadium
The activist lands on the turf of the Allianz Arena. credit: dpa | Christian Charisius

The pilot flew over the pitch just before kick-off in the Group F clash with “Kick out oil” written on the canopy of his parachute.

However, when the pilot hit television cables above the pitch, it knocked his microlight off balance and he landed on the turf after clipping one of the stands, where the casualties happened.

The activist was arrested soon after landing.

A Munich police spokesman told AFP that at least two people suffered head injuries and “both had to be taken to hospital, we don’t know yet how serious the injuries are”.

The police spokesman said the activist appears to have escaped injury, but “we are considering various criminal charges. Munich police has zero understanding for political actions that put lives at risk”.

UEFA also slammed the botched stunt.

“This inconsiderate act – which could have had very serious consequences for a huge number of people attending – caused injuries to several people attending the game who are now in hospital and law authorities will take the necessary action,” European football’s governing body said in a statement.

The parachutist above the stadium. Photo: dpa | Matthias Balk

“The staging of the match was fortunately not impacted by such a reckless and dangerous action, but several people were injured nonetheless.”

The stunt was a protest against German car manufacturer Volkswagen, one of the sponsors of the European Championship, Greenpeace explained in a Twitter post.

“UEFA and its partners are fully committed to a sustainable Euro 2020 tournament and many initiatives have been implemented to offset carbon emissions,” said UEFA.

Greenpeace said they regretted any harm caused.

“This protest was never intended to disrupt the game or hurt people,” read a Twitter post on Greenpeace’s official German account.

“We hope that everyone is OK and that no one was seriously injured. Greenpeace actions are always peaceful and non-violent.”

“Unfortunately, not everything went according to plan.”

READ MORE: Climate activists rage as Germany opts for drawn-out coal exit

SHOW COMMENTS