Proceedings against the activist were dropped pending proceedings in London

A British judge on Friday, February 2, decided to drop charges against environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who appeared in London for disturbing public order during a demonstration against the hydrocarbon industry in the British capital last October.

On the second day of the trial, a judge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court found that police officers responsible for securing the demonstration had imposed conditions. “illegal” And the 21-year-old was not specific enough in addressing his instructions to the Swede, who was on trial with four other demonstrators.

The decision was welcomed by about ten activists gathered in front of the court, which read: “It’s not the climate criminals you’re looking for”

Or “Protesting for climate is not a crime”.

A total of twenty-six activists were arrested on October 17 for disrupting access to the Energy Intelligence Forum, a conference bringing together major oil and gas companies, at a luxury hotel in the British capital.

Also Read | Greta Thunberg has been convicted of disturbing public order in the UK

Unreasonable terms

A young activist was being prosecuted for disobeying a London police order not to enter the hotel where the rally took place. Like the four other activists who appeared with her, she risked a maximum fine of 2,500 pounds (about 3,000 euros).

But there were conditions for the demonstration to take place “unreasonably imposed” by the police to the workers present at the scene and other measures “were available and could have been implemented”, Judge John Law said. therefore, “He who does not respect these rules has not committed a crime”he added.

These were the rules “Unlawful, because they disproportionately infringed on our customers’ right to freedom of expression”

Greta Thunberg’s lawyer Raj Chada asserted in a statement to the court at the end of the trial. “Governments should stop cracking down on peaceful protesters and instead find ways to tackle the climate crisis”He added, the government has been ordered “Stop Saving” Hydrocarbon exploration projects in the country.

Released under judicial supervision after her arrest, the activist took part in a new demonstration the next day, along with hundreds of others, in front of a five-star hotel. “Environmental and human rights activists are being persecuted around the world (…) To act according to science. We must remember who the real enemy is”Greta Thunberg announced to the press on Thursday, leaving court after the first day of hearings.

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In October, Greta Thunberg was fined for blocking the port of Malmö in Sweden. On 29 January, she took part in a march in the south of England against the expansion of Farnborough Airport, which is mainly used by private jets.

Also read our meeting (October 2022): Articles are reserved for our subscribers Greta Thunberg, Impossible Lightness

The world with AFP