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UK's GCHQ Whistle-blower case also impacts Greenpeace protesters (Katherine Gun)
GREENPEACE.ORG.UK STATEMENT ON IRAQ WHISTLE-BLOWER CASE:
Government faces further headache over legal case for Iraq war Last edited: 28-02-2004 Whistle-blower case has 'huge implications' for Greenpeace protesters Tony Blair faces further embarrassment in less than a fortnight, when fourteen Greenpeace volunteers appear in court on charges relating to an anti-war protest. Their case has taken on great significance since the Crown Prosection Service (CPS) claimed the case against Katherine Gun was dropped because they could not "disprove the defence of necessity" -- that is to say, they could not counter the defence that her actions were justified to save lives. The so-called Marchwood Fourteen occupied tanks at the Southampton military port in February last year. Throughout their case the defendants - all Greenpeace volunteers - have argued that their actions were necessary to prevent loss of life. With the CPS now saying they could not have disproved such a defence in the Gun case, Greenpeace lawyers wonder how the CPS will proceed against the fourteen. In a further development Greenpeace has today written to the CPS asking it for the Attorney-General's full advice to government on the legality of the war. Lawyers for the group claim access to the full advice is vital if the defendants are to be allowed a proper defence. Greenpeace has given the CPS 24 hours to produce the full advice, otherwise the group will renew its request for the advice in court on the first day of the trial, set for March 9th. Greenpeace legal adviser Kate Harrison said, "The protesters thought the war was illegal. We think it is essential for a fair trial that they see the full Attorney General's legal advice and the basis on which it was made." "Since the Katharine Gun trial it would appear that the Attorney General probably thought at the time of the protest that the war would be unlawful and that the Foreign Office and other advisors thought so too." The case against the fourteen will be held at Southampton Magistrate's court from March 9th. Further information Greenpeace opposed the war in Iraq and campaigned actively to prevent it. We joined the Stop the War coalition and made submissions to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on the illegality of the war, see http://www.the-hutton-inquiry.org.uk...0219to0222.pdf For more information contact the Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255 or 07801 212967 or 07801 212968 http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/Multime...eport/6206.pdf |
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