Denmark Imposes Heavy Fines On Greenpeace For Blocking Oil Tankers In March 2022 Protest

A court in Svendborg fined Greenpeace Denmark DKK 360,000 (around $53,500) for a series of March 2022 protests against tankers transporting Russian oil in Danish waters.

The fine, the largest ever imposed on an activist group in Denmark, has outraged its members, who are criticizing the court’s decision.

Greenpeace is concerned that the decision might set an example that could risk future peaceful protests.

Greenpeace activists used kayaks, small boats, and other methods to block and disrupt tankers delivering Russian oil for many days in March 2022.

The protest began on March 18, 2022, when protestors in kayaks positioned themselves in front of the tanker Waikiki.

A protestor lay in front of the tanker SCF Baltica the following day, holding banners stating “Oil Fuels War”. On March 25 and 31, the activists used a similar method to block the oil tanker Louie and disrupt a ship-to-ship transfer of Russian oil in Ålbaek Bay.

The Danish Maritime Authority reported these actions to the police, who intervened and charged the individuals involved.

Danish officials pursued the case aggressively, using legal clauses against the organization.

During the hearings, beginning on June 18, prosecutors highlighted Greenpeace’s repeated offences and asked to double the punishment based on the frequency of these actions, demanding an almost $75,000 fine.

On September 3, 2024, the court mostly sided with the prosecution and imposed a DKK 360,000 fine.

The decision came after a second hearing on August 27, 2024.

Greenpeace, seeking an acquittal or the lowest possible fines, expressed deep concern over the court’s harsh judgement.

Greenpeace Denmark’s campaign manager, Sune Scheller, criticized the verdict, stating that the court has solely followed the prosecution’s claim of guilt and punishment and has not given any importance to expert witnesses, explanations, or the European Convention on Human Rights.

The court’s decision shows that Greenpeace’s protests were repetitive, justifying an increased penalty. This is the first time a court has used past actions to justify a harsher penalty against the organization.

Greenpeace claims that the decision violates the rights to peaceful protests protected by Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Greenpeace began its series of protests shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, aiming to draw attention to Denmark’s and EU’s continued import of Russian oil, which the organization claims funds Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The organization stated that its actions have always been peaceful and that none of the tankers involved in the incidents had filed any complaints.

Greenpeace stated that the court’s decision might have a major impact on future protests against what it sees as an existential threat, such as climate change and continued reliance on fossil fuels.

The court dismissed arguments that the protestors should be acquitted under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Greenpeace condemned the decision as unfair and said it would review the judgement with its lawyers to consider its next steps.

The organization states that the penalty is unjust to what it claims were peaceful protests to raise awareness of crucial global issues.

Reference: TradeWinds

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