Press Releases & Updates 1998

Trident Ploughshares 2000 activists Hanna Jarvinen (21), Katri Silvonen (20), both from Finland, Krista van Velzen (23), of the Netherlands and Helen John (59), from Yorkshire are to appear at 10 a.m. on Tuesday (29 September) in the District Court in Victoria Halls, Helensburgh on charges relating to their disarmament activities during the first phase of the TP 2000 campaign Faslane and Coulport in August.

On two separate occasions Katri and Krista were able to swim unimpeded across the Gareloch in the dark to within metres of a Trident nuclear submarine, before being arrested. This was not a playful midnight dip. They went prepared to inflict disabling damage on the sub in order to prevent the ongoing crime being committed by the British government in possessing and being ready to use nuclear missiles which would cause death and suffering for millions, including innocent civilians and children. Following their arrest on that occasion they were given a "Fiscal’s release" and tomorrow’s court appearance concerns a later intrusion of security at the nuclear bases.

In court their defence will be that they acted to uphold international humanitarian law. This will present two basic challenges to the presiding Justice of The Peace. Will the JP allow police witnesses to be properly cross-examined on their understanding of the Nuremberg Principles? Will the JP recognise that Scots law, like the law in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, is subject to international humanitarian law?

Supporters will gather outside the court to cheer on the activists.

The treatment of these prisoners and of Angie Zelter in Cornton Vale continues to be under the spotlight. MEP Alex Falconer has written to governor Kate Donnegan asking for a detailed report on the action of prison staff on Friday and Saturday last which has led to the filing of formal complaints and the intervention of Central Scotland Police.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday at 10.a.m. in Dumbarton Sheriff Court three women, Tracy Hart, Sylvia Boyes and Angie Zelter, will face charges relating to a dramatic incident that took place before the TP2000 campaign properly started. Intent on a citizens’ war crimes inspection they went into the base at Coulport and took away an unguarded police launch to help with the inspection. They sailed it all the way down Loch Long and into the Gareloch, passing and greeting three other MOD boats on the way. They were arrested at the boom which defends the Trident berths at Faslane. It is expected that there will be some red faces in the witness box.

Superquote:

UK Foreign Minister Tony Lloyd, speaking of the new International Criminal Court: "It will be an institution that will forge a new moral dimension... it makes universal the rule of law."

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