i see yer trying to out fascist the US over across the pond

[Guest guest]

[indymedia UK]

 

Following a lengthy police investigation and an 18-week trial costing

over £4.5 million, the operator of a website criticising animal

testing company Sequani, has been jailed for four and a half years for

organising a legal protest.

 

In an unprecedented case, the press were barred from reporting the

trial, witnesses were bussed into the court and mobile phones were

even confiscated from the public before they entered the gallery and

the jury. The atmosphere was more akin to a terrorist trial than one

relating to non-violent protest, which made the charges appear far

more sinister than they in fact were. The choice of judge was also

considered highly questionable considering he is a keen hunter.

 

Sean Kirtley was found guilty under Section 145 of the SOCPA law for

" Interfering with the contractual relationships of a Laboratory " for

allegedly organising protests at Sequani Limited and associated

business associates. Police say disorder took place on a occasions

during protests and claim as the organiser that Sean is responsible

for any criminality that takes place.

.....

Kirtley will be lodging an appeal. Kirtley's defence lawyer said:

" This case sadly goes to show that animal rights campaigners have been

singled out and ordinary criminal law principles have been contorted

simply because, in the Government's eyes, powerful commercial

interests, founded on animal experimentation, are at risk from

effective, open and popular protests. "

 

We urge the press to cover the case because this is not just an issue

of an animal rights protester, whose views we understand many members

of the media may not share. But as Voltaire once said: " I disapprove

of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it " .

We hope that this proves the case today.

 

Most importantly, the case has serious repercussions on the freedom of

publishing protest information on the net and the right to protest

peacefully, particularly where commercial interests are concerned.

.....

The SSAT website was closed down and a new campaign against animal

experimentation at Sequani has been started by other activists –

http://sequani.wordpress.com

 

Interviews can be arranged with the legal team and campaign press

officer by contacting:

 

Name: Chris Dowdeswell

Tel: 01452 539673 / 07912 039069

Email: warn

 

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full story:

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/06/400889.html

 

 

 

“We now know that a neo-conservative is an arsonist who sets the house on fire

and six years later boasts that no one can put it out.†- Bill Moyers