Press Releases & Updates 2002

Ulla (46), from Odense in Denmark, but currently living and campaigning in Scotland, was arrested at the blockade of Faslane on Wednesday. She was held overnight for court on Thursday. When the court failed to provide an interpreter the hearing was postponed until today and she had to spend another night in a police cell.

Ulla, who was not represented, asked for bail. Procurator Fiscal Jonathan Kemp sought a special addition to the standard bail conditions: that Ulla should stay out of the Argyll and Bute local authority area. Ulla refused to accept or reject the condition. She told Justice of the Peace Viv Dance that what the procurator was asking for was a breach of her human rights. She would not be able to participate in the public court hearings in Helensburgh, to take part in most of the campaign’s meetings since they were held in the area, or to exercise her basic human right to gather at the Trident bases and engage in peaceful and nonviolent protest. If she rejected the condition, she faced being held on remand for up to 40 days. Either answer would undermine her human rights and she was putting the matter in the hands of the magistrate.

JP Dance asked the procurator for justification of his request. PF Kemp claimed that Ulla had breached bail on a number of occasions. Ulla retorted that appeals had been lodged against most of the convictions for doing so. JP Dance indicated that she accepted the Procurator’s reasoning and remanded Ulla until her trial on 25th March. As she was led away supporters in the court shouted out: "Take care, Ulla!"

This is Ulla’s third extended term in Cornton Vale. In 1999 she spent 4 months there while awaiting trial, and eventual acquittal, for disarming the Trident related barge Maytime. Last year she was given three months for a number of alleged anti-Trident offences.

Jane Tallents, who was in court today, said: "Ulla does not compromise one inch on her basic right as a citizen to protest peacefully against the lunacy of Trident. Her courage inspires us all."

Letters of support can be sent to:

HMP Cornton Vale

Cornton Road

STIRLING

FK9 5NY

Printer friendly version

Home | Top