U.S. COURT REJECTS PROSECUTORS APPEAL ON THE STOP STAR WARS 17

U.S. COURT REJECTS PROSECUTORS APPEAL ON THE STOP STAR WARS 17

20 July 2001

Los Angeles: The US federal court in Los Angeles rejected pressure from the prosecution to keep the Stop Star Wars 17 foreign nationals in jail and agreed to bail all but one. But Greenpeace is demanding an immediate resolution to the delay in freeing the final defendant, Samir Nazareth. The court agreed that the bail provisions posted on Monday for all of the non U.S citizens were acceptable and there was no risk of any of them leaving the country as the prosecution claimed. But they refused to allow Samir Nazareth out on bail, because of prosecution claims that his passport was not valid. "It is unacceptable that the courts have not cleared Samir's documents. He is a well travelled, highly educated man, and all of his papers are in order.," said Greenpeace International disarmament campaigner William Peden. "The Stop Star Wars 17 have already been discriminated against as a group because of their stand against Star Wars, we now have to question if Samir is being discriminated against as an individual." Pressure is now being brought to bear by Greenpeace and the Indian consulate to ensure the authorities act immediately to resolve the alleged problems. The remaining nine non U.S citizens are expected to be released late tonight or tomorrow morning.

"While we are relieved that the rest of our friends are now out on bail, or will very soon be out, we will not relax until everyone is out and in the same way we will not relax until the Star Wars programme is stopped," Peden added. "Now is the time for Star Wars to be put on trial, not non violent protestors, and we will have our day in court to make our voices and those from around the world, heard."

The Stop Star Wars 17 face charges (1) in connection with the delay of the Vandenberg missile test last Saturday. Greenpeace is campaigning to stop the Star Wars programme because it will lead to a new nuclear arms race.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Sara Holden, Greenpeace International media officer in Los Angeles +1 805 291 1749
William Peden, Greenpeace International disarmament campaigner in Los Angeles +1 202 285 9130

(1) Conspiracy to violate a safety zone is a Class D felony charge and carries a maximum ten years jail. It could also carry a fine of up to $250,000. Either could be imposed singly or jointly. Failure to adhere to commander's instructions is a Class A misdemeanour and carries a maximum one year jail term and a maximum $5,000 fine. Both sentences can run consecutively.

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For more information of the Greenpeace Stop Star Wars campaign visit www.stopstarwars.org.