00:45Spain: Protesters disrupt Lanzarote gov as Arctic Sunrise detained
Protesters converged on a meeting of the cabildo in the Spanish city of Arrecife, Lanzarote, on Wednesday, after Greenpeace ship 'Arctic Sunrise' was detained by authorities in the local port.
The ship was detained after the Spanish government launched an investigation into the boat's alleged infringement against marine traffic rules. The investigation comes after a Greenpeace protest on November 15 against oil drilling by Spanish energy company Repsol in the Canary Islands.
Protesters carried signs bearing the images of Spanish Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism Jose Manuel Soria and Spanish Minister of Equipment Ana Pastor Julian, calling them "culpable" for the ship's detention.
Depending on the outcome of the official proceedings, Spanish authorities have ordered the Arctic Sunrise to be held until a €50,000 ($62,760) bond is paid. If found guilty of violating Article 308 of the Spanish law 'State Ports and Merchant Marine,' Greenpeace could face a penalty of up to €300,000 ($376,560).
A "cabildo" is a Spanish system of government used only in the Canary Islands, in which citizens elect authorities to determine matters of health, roads, drinking water, irrigation, hunting, fishing, public transportation and land use and more.
00:45Protesters converged on a meeting of the cabildo in the Spanish city of Arrecife, Lanzarote, on Wednesday, after Greenpeace ship 'Arctic Sunrise' was detained by authorities in the local port.
The ship was detained after the Spanish government launched an investigation into the boat's alleged infringement against marine traffic rules. The investigation comes after a Greenpeace protest on November 15 against oil drilling by Spanish energy company Repsol in the Canary Islands.
Protesters carried signs bearing the images of Spanish Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism Jose Manuel Soria and Spanish Minister of Equipment Ana Pastor Julian, calling them "culpable" for the ship's detention.
Depending on the outcome of the official proceedings, Spanish authorities have ordered the Arctic Sunrise to be held until a €50,000 ($62,760) bond is paid. If found guilty of violating Article 308 of the Spanish law 'State Ports and Merchant Marine,' Greenpeace could face a penalty of up to €300,000 ($376,560).
A "cabildo" is a Spanish system of government used only in the Canary Islands, in which citizens elect authorities to determine matters of health, roads, drinking water, irrigation, hunting, fishing, public transportation and land use and more.