Swedish Court Fines Greta Thunberg for Defying Police
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has been found guilty of disobeying the police. According to Aftonbladet, a local court has ruled that she must pay fines for her actions.
Thunberg admitted to participating in the protest and defying the police's orders, but she denied any wrongdoing, stating that she acted out of necessity.
"My actions were justified. I believe we are facing a crisis that threatens lives, health, and property. Countless individuals and communities are at risk both in the short and long term," she said in court.
Following the hearing, the court decided to sentence her to daily fines for disobedience to law enforcement. The fines amount to 30 penalties of 50 Swedish kronor (approximately 4.50 euros) per day. Additionally, she is required to pay 1000 Swedish kronor (approximately 87 euros) to the Crime Victims Fund.
After the court appearance, Greta Thunberg met with the press and criticized the verdict as absurd.
"It is absurd that those who act in accordance with science must pay the price, while it is the industrial fossil fuel companies that pose a threat to our present and future that should be held accountable and face legal consequences," she emphasized.
Thunberg also stated that she will continue her activism and has no plans to appeal the verdict.
The activist and other participants were arrested on June 19 after blocking traffic at an oil terminal in the port of Malmo.
According to the statement from the Swedish prosecution, Greta Thunberg was charged for refusing to comply with the police order to leave the protest site during the demonstration.
It is worth noting that Greta Thunberg visited Ukraine at the end of June, where she met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. She expressed gratitude for the invitation and emphasized her intention to engage representatives of environmental organizations in a dialogue regarding environmental issues in Ukraine and draw attention to the ecological consequences of the war.
In response, President Zelenskyy highlighted the catastrophic consequences of the Russian military's actions on the Kherson region, the agricultural sector, and the region's biodiversity due to the diversion at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station.