Greenpeace on Tuesday said it had filed a criminal complaint against French nuclear giant Areva which it suspects of having spied on the environmental group.

"/> Greenpeace on Tuesday said it had filed a criminal complaint against French nuclear giant Areva which it suspects of having spied on the environmental group.

" />

Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

GREENPEACE

Greenpeace accuses nuclear group of spying

Greenpeace on Tuesday said it had filed a criminal complaint against French nuclear giant Areva which it suspects of having spied on the environmental group.

Published: 4 January 2012 06:38 CET

Greenpeace accuses nuclear group of spying

kimdokhac

Greenpeace lawyer Alexandre Faro said the case was about a “fraudulent invasion of privacy”.

The group suspects Areva used an investigative service to hack into its computers to gain secret or private information.

French Sunday paper Journal du Dimanche recently wrote that Geneva-based investigative firm Alp Services had written a “confidential” report in March last year on Greenpeace, corruption watchdog Transparency International and environmental research group Worldwatch.

Six months later Alp Services wrote another report on Areva’s former chief executive Anne Lauvergeon and her husband, energy consultant Olivier Fric, according to media reports.

Lauvergeon and her husband last week filed suit for violation of professional secret, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds, they said.

A spokesman for the Areva group said on Tuesday that “there was never any order from Areva to investigate the non-governmental organisations”.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.

Become a Member to leave a comment.

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

Url copied to clipboard!