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AR activists set to challenge SOCPA in the courts next week

In the first trial of its kind in the UK 7 animal rights activists are set to challenge section 145 of the serious organised crime and police act 2005 which made it an "offence" to "interfere with an animal research organisation".

The "research" organisation refered to here is Sequani limited in Ledbury, Herefordshire who test agro-chemicals, pharmaceutical compounds and medical devices amongst other things on a multitude of different animal species at their laboratory.

The 7 are accused of "conspiracy to contravene section 145 socpa" namely by means of peaceful protest outside Sequani and outside the premises of those that were contracted to carry out work for the lab.

The 7 accused who have been on unconditional police bail since May 9th 2006 have all made not guilty pleas despite a plea bargain previously offered by the *trial judge.

If found guilty by the jury the activists could face up to 5 years in prison under the socpa law.

Peaceful protesters beware!

Such is life under government!

The trial of the 7 is set to start on Monday January 7th at Birmingham crown court and is to last for up to 4 - 6 weeks.

The *trial judge is an admitted "game shooter" (he shoots birds out of the sky in his spare time, for fun, his own enjoyment)

This should be a very interesting trial to say the least!

Updates will be posted on IMC and elsewhere as the show-trial progresses.

NB: Five people have already been sent to prison since July 2005 after pleading guilty to contravening section 145 socpa.

More on the campaign against Sequani limited at

http://sequani.wordpress.com
and

http://netcu.wordpress.com and

http://www.animalliberation.co.uk

Central Activists

Comments

Hide the following 6 comments

all the best

04.01.2008 18:58

Good luck next week. It's great to know the campaign is back despite the charges others face.

Sequani 7

s.145 SOCPA

04.01.2008 20:34

The sickening thing is that s.145 SOCPA is so shamelessly discriminatory; 'interfering with a contractual relationship' is exactly what masses of social justice activists - from anti-arms trade campaigners to no borders groups - are doing. Yet of course, s.145 applies only to animal rights activists.

While the near-prohibition of protest in Parliament Square (s.132 SOCPA) has been given much attention, s.145 has received little - despite its appalling implications for our civil liberties. I wonder why...

Good luck to all involved in this

What's scary is

04.01.2008 21:06

The concept of sec.145 will some day provide the legitimacy for a broader scope, this is far from a good thing, it will probably soon be used against anti-arms / environmental / no borders groups I would imagine.

This could happen, for this reason, these matters are very serious not just for the animal liberation movement, but for all others.

Unity before it's too late!

true

Right to a fair hearing?

06.01.2008 13:34

The facts on the judge suggest that he could be removed as having a bias against the defendants. Anyone who engages in blood sports, such as shooting birds, cannot be impartial on trials involving animal rights issues.

The Human Rights Act 1998 provides for the right to a fair trial, or hearing, how about a challenge to the gun toting judge?

It is also likely that he is a Freemason. Try making enquiries as to his Lodge. The chances are it will be stuffed with the Police (same officers who brought the prosecution) and other dubious types, paedophiles etc. Can you get some dirt to discredit him?

Siobhan

Geeze..

07.01.2008 13:14

I fear 4 the activists on this one :(

Fuckin judge,probably,trained at Oxford Uni also.

VeganTruthist

SOCPA (imported)?

09.01.2008 10:11

Please see =

http://www.aclu.org/freespeech/gen/25620leg20060306.html
Importation of legislation paid for by multi nationals.
Too similar to be coincidence.
One of the sequani 7 has fallen into the cps trap `The deal` more like blackmail,or cps conspiracy to blackmail. silly sod.

Al Asitis

UK Indymedia