MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Greenpeace's Argentine skipper gets six months

An Argentine environmentalist was yesterday found guilty of blocking a warship two years ago and sentenced to six months in prison by a Spanish court.

Daniel Rizzotti, captain of Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior boat, said that he was happy with the outcome of the trial against him, as prosecutors had requested a four-year sentence.

The court in Cádiz did not say, however, whether Rizzotti will effectively have to serve the time in prison.

"The ruling was a victory for environment activists," said Rizzotti. He added, however, that his lawyers are likely to appeal the ruling. "Greenpeace is considering what course of action to take and it will possibly appeal the sentences against Rizzotti," said the group in a statement.

The trial of five members of Greenpeace charged with resisting arrest and disobedience during an anti-war protest in 2003 started on May 10 in southern Spain. The other four defendants were not given prison sentences.

The five faced prison sentences ranging from nine months to four years. They were detained on March 14, 2003, when they were aboard the group's boat near the US-Spanish Rota naval base in the southern Cadiz province to protest the coming US-led invasion of Iraq.

Before being arrested, the activists, who apart from Rizzotti came from the US, Spain and New Zealand, managed to delay for a day a US naval vessel carrying war supplies to the Middle East.

Prosecutors are seeking three-year sentences for Spain's Carlos Bravo and New Zealander Philip Walter Lloyd for resisting arrest. American Lawrence Martin and Spaniard María Teresa Ambros could face nine-month sentences for disobedience. As captain of the boat, Rizzotti received the harshest prison request of four years.

"This trial brings an end to a dark move hoping to silence Greenpeace," said Rizzotti. "We feel strengthened by this ruling," he added. Rizzotti plans to take charge of the Rainbow Warrior again in two months' time to campaign in South-East Asia.