Greenpeace Activists Fined for Blocking Russian Oil Tankers

‍

A Danish court on Sept. 3 fined Greenpeace activists more than $50,000 US for undertaking a series of protests against Russian oil tankers in Danish waters in 2022. It is the largest fine Denmark has imposed against protesters.

Greenpeace activists in March 2022 deliberately placed themselves in the path of oncoming tankers carrying Russian oil through Danish waters. The group said it resorted to these actions as an expression of solidarity with Ukraine in the wake of the February 2022 Russian invasion.

Sune Scheller, Greenpeace's campaign manager who had himself participated in some of the protests, said that the fines are "a very harsh punishment for a peaceful action against Denmark's and the EU's import of the Russian oil that finances Russia's war in Ukraine."

In its decision, the court emphasised that Greenpeace as an organisation has previously been fined for other actions. Because of the repetition, the punishment should therefore be harsher for these more recent offences.

Scheller said Greenpeace will read the court's judgment carefully and consider its full consequences before consulting with lawyers on its next course of action.

Read More

‍