Twelve Just Stop Oil supporters are scheduled to appear at the Royal Courts of Justice from 10:30am on Monday 23 October for a five-day civil trial. They are the first group of 35 protesters accused of breaching a National Highways injunction issued last November.
The activists allegedly broke the injunction by climbing or attempting to climb gantries above the M25 motorway in November 2022. National Highways obtained the injunction on 5 November, just days before the protests began on 7 November.
If found guilty, the activists could face penalties including up to two years in prison, unlimited fines, and seizure of assets. Additionally, they may be liable for substantial legal costs ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of pounds.
Many of those involved have already experienced lengthy periods on remand, restrictive bail conditions, and electronic monitoring via ankle tags. Some activists also face separate public nuisance trials in criminal courts scheduled across 2024 and 2025.
A spokesperson for Just Stop Oil responded, stating, “The government provides legal protection and tax breaks for those who flood our towns and cities, burn our forests and destroy homes where people have lived for generation after generation. The mask has slipped. Ordinary people are not protected by our failing politicians – they are persecuted for doing the right thing.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
