GREENPEACE ACTIVISTS ARRESTED BY THE BRAZILIAN FEDERAL POLICE

San Francisco do Sul, Brazil, 15 December 1997

Ten Greenpeace activists were arrested this afternoon by the Federal Police in Brazil for their participation in the direct action yesterday, at Sao Francisco do Sul harbor against the ship "Sanko Robust", loaded with genetically modified soya from the US.

The Federal Police laid in wait for the vehicle that was taking the activists to Florianopolis and stopped them on the road 48 km from Sao Francisco do Sul. The activists - Genetic Hazard Patrol members - were arrested at around 3.30 pm (local time) and taken to the Federal Police, in Joinville, Santa Catarina. Greenpace Brazil ED, Roberto Kishinami declared that the arrests were an unbearable attack on freedom of expression. "Greenpeace is an international and pacifist organization dedicated to the protection of the environment all over the world", he said, "It's unacceptable that Brazilian and foreign activists are arrested for defending the environment and the health of human beings"

The activists arrested were

Dave Roberts - UK
Kevin Dowing - USA
Meike Hulstrann - Germany
Ted Hood - USA
Manuel Pinto - Portugal
Patricia Sliepenbeek - Netherlands
Alice Nogueira Novaes - Brazil
Alexandre Pinho - Brazil
Roberto - Brazil
Lia - Brazil

Greenpeace lawyers are already working to free the group.

---

For further information please contact:

Paulo Adario - 55 48 962 2231

Marijane Lisboa, tel.++55 999 7071

---