Greenpeace activist will not press charges after scuffle

G.Debono

Jul 1st 2009, 20:25

Ms. Zarb Darmanin
It would be really interesting if you could point out where I judged myself. Maybe you need to run through my last comment again, this time slowly please.

I said, of course people judge us, and judging from the comments your writings recieve, one concludes how your arguments are judged. I never said how mine are judged. Wasn't that plain and simple English ?

How much I have been around, since mid 90s when the internet service came to Malta. On timesofmalta.com ? Since it started and I am an ardent follower of environment issues. Sorry about that - guess pro environment is not your cup of tea. Distructive organisations are not my cup of tea either.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Jun 30th 2009, 13:21

Mr / Ms G Debono, I have always left it in the hands of readers to judge me. Contrarily, you are judging yourself!! I assure you that if you are indeed a newcomer to Online Comments, you are definitely not impressing anyone!!

G.Debono

Jun 28th 2009, 22:19

Ms. Zarb Darmanin

Of course people judge our writings - and going by the comments your writings recieve, one easily concludes how people judge your arguments.

Good Day Champion

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Jun 28th 2009, 11:44

Mr/Ms G Debono, please stop your impositions! If you indeed go through online comments, you would have read my comment when I stated that if someone trespasses onto my private property I might not act the way the fishermen did but I would definitely not allow anyone to trespass. Therefore your false accusations are just that - FALSE. Is this the way you have been brought up to behave, Sir/Madam?!!!!

Private property is private, be it a house, a boat or private land. I am sure your are aware that even the forces of the Law have to obtain a warrant to enter private property. "Tilghabha tal-bahnan sabiex tipprova ggib l-argument favur tieghek" will get you nowhere. Please keep in mind that these comments are read by mature people who are capable to judge us. We will leave it to these readers to see who is impressing the most! You try to be judge and jury at the same time. Maybe this keeps you happy BUT it is what the readers think that counts!

G.Debono

Jun 28th 2009, 00:26

So that mask is off - you admit by implication of your last write up that according to you, the lady got what she deserved. What a lovely person you are - condoning a beating like that when the person was not dangerous at all. Qed nghidlek - vera qed timpresjona lill qarreja.

A boat is not a house - houses are closed. If thieves enter houses they have bad intentions - The GP lady did not have the same intentions of a thief. While on the other hand, if a GP activist asked to see my house to see if I was holding illegal catches - AND I WAS SURE I WAS INNOCENT, I would let them enter hands down. Surely I would not hit anyone like the fisherman did - You know, at the end of the day, not even when one breaks the law and taken to court - s/he does not get a beating in this country. It is only cognitively sub developed people that beat other people when these pose no danger. I have been brought up to avoid hurting people - it's a question of upbringing I suppose.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Jun 27th 2009, 16:28

Mr / Ms G Debono, Your half-hidden identity has started showing up in online comments only recently.

Sir/Madam, in a civilised society, one cannot expect to break the law and then be treated in kindness, more so when one breaks the law as a sign of provocation! Are you saying that if someone decides to enter your house or trespass onto your private property, while making false accusations in your regard, you will welcome him/her with open arms?! I do not expect you to answer this question as I am confident that your reply will not reflect your sincere answer.

Finally, Sir/Madam, "fuzzy logic", hatred, intolerance and disrespect are traits of the anti-hunting lobby. The problem with most of the anti's is that they cannot digest that a woman who is neither a hunter nor a trapper champions the cause of hunting and trapping. In fact your (and other anti's) insultive comments in my regard amply prove what I am saying. Well, that is your problem! Nobody will stop me from continuing with my online comments, moreso once these are bothering you!!

G.Debono

Jun 27th 2009, 10:08

Ms. Zarb Darmanin

..."expecting that she should have been treated with tender care as being absurd and baseless" - SZD

..."one has to face the consequences of his /her actions!!" -SZD

Well, if you don't recognise that your own contributions are implying that she got what she deserved, then you are indeed lost.

This not about a woman having more privilages or not, had it been a male GP activist I would have condemed the act of violence in the face of no threat to life or property whatsoever, just the same. But, what do you care,right ?

No - you do not harbour respect towards anyone except for destructive organisations, as proved above, anyone who follows timesofmalta.com has many times saw your contributions and the hatred that comes out of them towards GP, Environmentalists, Authorities, CABS, governments, etc.

If it's an organisation that tries to protect the environment, you see red and write all sorts of fuzzy logic that we all got used to now. Unfortunately you don't realise, that these same organisations are trying to protect the environment for you, your children and the children of your children and so on. The ones you protect are destroying it.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Jun 26th 2009, 12:58

Mr / Ms G Debono, "How dare you imply" that I implied "that what she got was deserved"?! The usual non-factual accusations coming from certain quarters!! My comment was intended to show that being a woman gives one no privileges. Nobody, man or woman, has any right to act in an illegal manner.

Sir / Madam, far from the hatred you attributed to me, actually I harbour LOVE, RESPECT and TOLERANCE toward my co-citizens, attributes which are quite lacking in GP, Environmentalists, CABS, etc.

Finally, I am left wondering what YOU "get out of such a stand". Any secret agenda, Sir/Madam?!

Dennis Zammit

Jun 26th 2009, 05:47

@ Ramon Casha

So you expect that someone enters your property, say your house, forcing himself in and you just open the door and let him in? These so called activists do their utmost to force the owners to use force against them and they ensure that there are enough press and cameras recording the fact.

I presume that you would let them in your house so that they could check what you have? You would not !!!! The police should move charges against the protesters for violating private property and for causing moral damage to the crew ad for false declarations which could have had negative impact on the vessels and crew.

Joe Fenech

Jun 26th 2009, 00:45

Ramon Casha:

Spot on! Our police should be professional enough to prosecute without anyone pressing charges...unless they condone assault on women that is. In a macho culture, nothing surprises me!

If we don't want GP - let's mature and learn how to regulate ourselves.

G.Debono

Jun 25th 2009, 22:21

Ms. Zarb Darmanin
How dare you imply through your words that what she got was deserved ? Why so much hatred for GP, Environmentalists, Authorities, CABS, governments, etc. etc. What do you get out of such a stand ?

Ramon Casha

Jun 25th 2009, 06:19

The police are morally, if not legally, obliged to start criminal action against the crew of that ship. This was not self-defence, nor was it simply a matter of preventing someone from boarding the ship. If the owners or captain of the ship wish to press charges for trespassing they should do so, but they must also face criminal charges of assault as well as civil charges for damages.

Ray Mangani

Jun 24th 2009, 23:29

Pressing charges???? What if the lady was carrying a bomb instead of the visible life jacket.
Who would have been resposible then.
Gp. Pack your bags and beat it!!!!

P Borg

Jun 24th 2009, 21:15

Great entertainment! Loved it to bits! Please try boarding another ship and let the media be there to shoot it!

fredmallia

Jun 24th 2009, 21:13

i excuse the fishermen because for a while they were afraid and thought that they were in Somali and the greenpeace makers were the hijackers...... shame to these bullies fishermen.....

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Jun 24th 2009, 20:04

I find certain comments distinguishing / highlighting that the GP trespasser was a woman and expecting that she should have been treated with tender care as being absurd and baseless. Women are not supposed to seek pity from anyone. Along with the rights that we women are obtaining, we also have obligations. Whether it is a man or a woman who provokes or acts in an illegal manner, irrespectively one has to face the consequences of his /her actions!!

It further baffles me when comments come from certain individuals who persistently write in an arrogant and disrespectful manner with regard to online comments submitted by me and who have the habit of attacking me personally instead of my argument. Do these individuals forget their gentlemanly manners in such instances? This is hypocrisy at its best! Alernatively, they might be foreigners' lackeys!!

martin saliba

Jun 24th 2009, 18:20

When NO means NO. Thats what the law says if one is charged for rape. Its the same thing if one dose not want someoneelse to board his boat. She was begging for a beating for the publicity and she got what she asked for. Case closed.

Mark Camilleri

Jun 24th 2009, 17:25

@Farrugia A

I would not want my children to get punched for trespassing, but if they are provaking someone continiously then I guess they are asking for it. As you can also see in the video, it was not the first time that she was trying to get on the boat . Also it seems that GP used women for their protest so if something happens to them they have more publicity.

D.MANGION

Jun 24th 2009, 17:01

@j.spiteri
Yes I am an old person on the verge of extinction. Yes...persons who never justify violence are on the verge of extinction...and very soon we'll have to leave the planet to you; the types who have no idea of what "common interests" are all about.
....but when I was young, (probably younger than you are today), there was an old man who taught me a lesson. He said...
"God forgives always.
Humans forgive sometimes.
Mother nature NEVER forgives..... hit her, and sooner or later she'll hit back at you with a force that you will never be able to cope with"

In their own rough ways, this is what these people of Greenpeace are trying to say to us.

Remember....our own fishermen used to sell marine tortoises, until the population of the tortoises was decimated. What did mother nature do ? She filled us with jellyfish ! ...and that's just the beginning !

Again I reiterate. No man should never repeatedly punch a woman in her face unless she is posing an imminent danger to his life. Only cowardish chickens act otherwise !

c. camilleri

Jun 24th 2009, 16:55

@ D. Mangion." use male violence against women" Have you not yet learned that there is no longer difference between the sexes now. We have now women solders fighting the terrorists in Afganistan.
After all she invited the whole lot by her unlawful actions. She got what she asked for. I thing that the police should not have let the green peace leave and should have pressed charges for trespassing into other people's property. One has got to have a cheeky face for the Green peace to say that they are not going to press charges when they are the aggressors.

J. Borg

Jun 24th 2009, 16:39

I'm sure GreenPeace have more important things to attend to.....for our combined benefit

However the Police should take the initiative to charge the thugs that beat up the woman, and (if the authorities have nothing to hide) charge Greenpeace for trying to board a ship.

The authorities would be proactive for a change - by issuing instructions to everyone who has been allowed to use Malta or its name, that when Greenpeace (we're not speaking about an unknown persons here) asks for feed back and co-operation, such requests should be entertained and if need be the intervention of the Police be sought.

Without such "education" Malta's name & image will inevitably be tarnished - and notwithstanding that in this particular case - nothing criminal was dicovered on board - the crinimal & vile reaction of the thugs involved is shouldered on us all - if these violent and coward thugs are allowed to walk away scotch free!

Farrugia A

Jun 24th 2009, 15:53

Mark Camilleri

If this lady tried to enter my house illegaly, I would call the police and restrain her with the least possible force.

Don't forget that we are talking about excessive force used which could have resulted in a very nasty incident. See the video. She did not use any force against them, she was not armed, their life was not in peril, they property was not under threat. She just trespassed. Which agreed is illegal.
Can you answer my question now. Would you want your children to be punched to a pulp if they traspassed a private field ? I certainly would object to that.

r sammut

Jun 24th 2009, 15:53

The GP lady is not pressing charge; against what? For her forced illegally boarding on two vessels clad in protective clothing, helmet and with chains wrapped around body?

Attempts to ward her off by sailors failed miserably as she was so tenacious in doing her thing. Was it expected of sailors to fall on their knees to beg?

What about the final part of the video; where the quay security mentioned to call for police intervention, the GP guys were begging as naughty kids apologetic for their deeds! Weren’t their actions all transparency as videoed?

How about the Malta Authorities voicing their condemnations about these illegal actions carried out in our Grand Harbour!

Albert Spiteri

Jun 24th 2009, 15:29

I wonder why so many of you are defending the spanish tuna exploiters. The report says that this particular fishing company is responsible for about 60% of mediterranean bluefin tuna fishing. Why on earth should we defend these people. They are depleting the mediterranean of this valuable animal and in the long run its all of us that will suffer.
Greenpeace where wrong in not fighting this out the right way. But they were totally correct in doing anything under the sun to stop the Spanish fishermen.
Again I have my doubts concerning the report that the Fishing Control Division "did not uncover any illegal stocks of bluefin tuna".
All I know is that if the situation remains unchanged, within 3 years, bluefin tuna will be finished from the Mediterranean. Then maybe we'll have some media wise guy interviewing Dr. John Refalo about the situation and what in his learned opinion we should do about it!
I hope 3 years from now the only bluefin tuna available won't be coming from tuna fish farming. Food for thought for all smug sun and beach lovers (including tourists of course).

clifford john williams

Jun 24th 2009, 15:13

Greenpeace is out there doing what those critics who sit behind the safety of their PC have neither the guts or the inclination to do: Trying to make this planet a fit place for us and our children and our children's children to live on.
To listen to a bunch of macho monkeys justifying and making some kind of a hero out of a thug beating up a defenceless woman (not to mention shooting her) shows just how far out of the jungle this lot have evolved!
How many of these protested when the French secret service blew up the Rainbow Warrior IN HARBOUR killing a person on board? Oh, & before anyone rushes for the keyboard- I DID.
That woman has more courage than most men I know, particularly those whos idea of manliness is facing a sparrow with a shotgun.
Keep going Greenpeace because without people like you our world will end up a barron waste inhabited by a handfull of mega-rich trying to eat their money.

adrian aquilina

Jun 24th 2009, 14:59

if it was not for groups like greenpiece the world would be dying much faster and be in a worse mess then it already is..all nature needs protecting..the maltese authorities are known to lie when it comes to business mens interests but the most important thing is the protection of the tuna...the right wing conservatives have never believed in the protection of anything except for their income and thats why Malta is in such a bad state enviromentaly..wake up and ask for a better world...only the selfish dont
well done greenpeice,only the maltese would stick up for some men beating on a woman

Kevin Zammit

Jun 24th 2009, 14:32

These were protesters not thieves.

I want to see this bully who beats weomen charged by the police. Greenpeace obviously don't want to waste the time.

I do not think that Maltese law allows the police to move without victim pressing charges because it is a minor offence ...

Shame really, shame to be associated with such behaviour through nationality.

Charles Sammut

Jun 24th 2009, 14:30

@ Farrugia A

This was not a child but a silly irresponsible adult, bent on getting as much publicity as possible. In fact it was a stage managed affair and was filmed by Greenpeace.

If Greenpeace suspected that there was illegal tuna on board, all they had to do was make a report to the police. Taking the law in your own hands is illegal.

@ D Mangion

Which century are you living in? If women claim equality to males in all aspects of society, they have to accept being treated like any other male. Not reacting to an intrusion just because the intruder is a woman is discriminating on the basis of sex. So the Spanish gentleman was simply being politically correct.

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Jun 24th 2009, 14:06

The same Australian activist that tried boarding the vessel seems quite used to much worse violence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivr3xnDsFn4&NR=1.

It seems Greenpeace provoke for a purpose. read this on http://www.highnorth.no/Library/Movements/Greenpeace/gr-ac-pr.htm and find out:
"The activists make it necessary for the whalers to use physical force in order to stop them. Their camera crew was carefully instructed right up to the point when it came to a scuffle. There was every indication that the pictures of physical confrontation were the real reason for their action,”

So Greenpeace were only after the publicity. True martyrs.

Lest we forget Greenpeace is funded from donations coming from fools that are impressed by their dedication. If anyone thought pirates no longer roam the seas he's terribly mistaken. The only difference from old is that today's pirates live on donations and no longer rely on looting.

Marvin Mizzi

Jun 24th 2009, 13:29

A Greenpeace activist who was beaten by fishermen as she tried to board two tuna support vessels will not be pressing charges.. How humane she is .. she is not pressing charges..... after illegally and without any consent wanted to enter others people property ...... charges should be pressed against those who illegally try to enter others property not for defending ones own property the same as the fishermen were doing. Shame that this group of terrorist were given the opportunity to enter our Grand Habour and do what they did. The least would have been to send them away as soon as they did the illegal activity they did!!!!

r sammut

Jun 24th 2009, 13:25

The GP lady is not pressing charge; against what? For her forced illegally boarding on two vessels clad in protective clothing, helmet and with chains wrapped around body?

Attempts to ward her off by sailors failed miserably as she was so tenacious in doing her thing. What was expected of sailors? Fall on their knees to beg?

What about the final part of the video; where the quay security mentioned to call for police intervention, the GP guys were begging as naughty kids apologetic for their deeds! Weren’t their actions all transparency as videoed?

How about the Malta Authorities voicing their condemnations of these illegal actions carried out in our Grand Harbour!

Adrian Borg

Jun 24th 2009, 13:24

@ D MANGION ... you are clearly either a member of Greenpeace or one of their avid supporters ... one comment is enough! You don't need to repeat yourself lol

Also, here we are not speaking about Male attacks on a Female, but rather about trespassing. If a woman tried to enter your home without your permission, would you just let her in because she's a woman or try to restrain her? If after trying to restrain her, she still tries and tries to get in, in a scuffle with you what would you do?

The Greenpeace was inviting such an action from the fisherman. What did she expect?

P Zammit

Jun 24th 2009, 13:17

These arrogant protestors should not be welcome in Malta. I recall that some time ago they had even caused damage to the Auberge de Castille, one of our 16th. Century monuments, during one of their stunts. Have they ever offerer any compensation for that irresponsible act?

Vince DeBono

Jun 24th 2009, 13:13

@ D Mangion,

Modern women know how to take care of themselves !!! They can do anything in this day and age. Don't be sexist towards the female sex because they are your (our) equal.

So if a woman wants to go into harm's way, it's her choice - just like any man's. IT IS 2009 you know.

Chris Finch

Jun 24th 2009, 13:05

This is a sickening video of a large man repeatedly punching a woman in the face. Also on the video is evidence of people swearing in public - again another criminal offence.
The Police have more than enough evidence to prosecute all of those involved in illegal activities and if any are found on both sides then they shuld be punished equally.
It is unbelievable that some people commenting on here think they have a legal right to use EXCESSIVE force against anyone.
If you were to come to my house and try to climb over my fence, I can legally try to stop you but I have no right to punch you repeatedly in the face when I could just block you - especially if you are half my size.

Mark Camilleri

Jun 24th 2009, 12:59

@farrugia A

What if someone comes into your house and wants to look into your personal possesions? Will you offer him tea and biscuits?

Eric Camilleri

Jun 24th 2009, 12:59

Very well said Martin Farrugia. BTW It was obvious that this Emma Briggs was purposely looking for the martyr beating, timing when it could be caught on camera. Her mission was to get beaten on camera ! Sorry Greenpeace, you have lost some supporters again. You are one unprofessional lot playing the wannabe saviours. Your amateurish antics put your lives at risks and worst still that of others. Case in point a recent Greenpeace anti whaling TV documentary where three GP newbie "crew" nearly lost their lives when their dingy was dumbed overside, crew included, while lowering it shipside into freezing waters. Since their ship was moving the dingy capsized and got horrificly caught under their own ship. Then another nerd hit their only flying bird's helicopter blades damaging one blade without him even having a clue of how serious his stupidity had damaged the helicopter, thus endangering their own pilot's life. Further comments are superfluous other than hoping that here the ship owners of this tuna fishing company in Malta will at this point sue Greenpeace for false accusations of illegal catch, illegal ship boarding and provocation. They also have the audacity to call it a peaceful protest.

Anna Maria Bartolo

Jun 24th 2009, 12:46

How utterly disgusting. Horrible. Had they thrown her overboard or even pushed her, that could have been understandable. But repeatedly beating her? Never! I understand that the fishermen were protecting their boat, but they showed themselves to be TRUE COWARDS by turning on ONE WOMAN the way they did. Had she brandished a knife/gun, I would have totally justified them. But come on, one unarmed woman - what cowards. Totally uncalled for. And in my opinion, the fishermen knew she couldn't press charges anyway so they decided to abuse of their rights and vent out all their anger on one female. How heroic.

j.spiteri

Jun 24th 2009, 12:46

@D. MANGION
'MALE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN' are you an old person on the verge of extinction????have you ever heard of equal rights???if it was the other way round the male boarding the female's boat that would be a different story??greenpeace sent her because they know that on video it would stir up more sympathy towards their cause and blur people's vision to the fact that they are trespassing and breaking the law themselves.has GP compensated or at least apologiesed to the fishermen that were found to be fishing according to the law????thought not!!

JOhn Inguanez

Jun 24th 2009, 12:44

She provoked the fishermen. Is a fishermen entitled to a defence of his property under the Maltese law? We all know that Greenpeace create these accident to create news. In fact one of them told TVM that they knew it was illegal but that was the only way they could check.
Are police taking steps against Greenpeace activists for ILLEGALY boarding the vessels.

Calra Mifsud

Jun 24th 2009, 12:41

@Claire Bonello,

Please note that any action taken on a private owned shipping vessle at sea is not the same as if it happens in a home. Since the fishermen didnt know the toughs of this green peace terrorist she migh have easily carried a weapon. In days like these with all this terrorism going on, take nothing for granted.

J. Schembri

Jun 24th 2009, 12:12

In the video all I'm seeing are persons in red attire embarking a trawler which is not theirs , the owners of the boat were rightfully defending their property.In other words an illegality perpetrated by the so called Greenpeace activists..
If anything the owners of the trawlers have the right to press charges against the intruders, not the other way round.

Farrugia A.

Jun 24th 2009, 11:44

She will not press charges in her personal capacity, but with the evidence, we all hope that the police will. If they don't they will be making a mockery of the law.

To those saying that she illegaly board a ship and thus she got what she deserved. Gosh, you really are human. She did not use any force and was not a threat to fisherman or their boat. What will happen if your kids go playing into a private field ? You expect them to get shot or beaten to a pulp?

Martin Farrrugia

Jun 24th 2009, 11:30

Greenpeace enjoy being roughed up, and expect to be roughed up. Hence their attire. Their being roughed up contributes to their labouriously crafted image of martyrs for the environment. Also, being roughed up generates enough public sympathy to blur over their very obvious breaches of the law. Although Ms Briggs could be very well accused with forcing an entry in private property, no one would seriosuly feel the need to press charges against her after the walloping she got at the hands of that man. Greenpeace know about this phenomenon and they milk it to the last drop.

The reason? Greenpeace too has a balance sheet to score and if it wants to convince its benefactors of the good work it is doing, what better proof can they have other than a few briuses here and there and videos to back it up? Also for those who think that the fishermen overreacted, check out this youtube link and you will see that the Germans are not that kind with them either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvN0ACo5Lgc

Tony Gatt

Jun 24th 2009, 11:21

I'm no lawyer, but maybe someone advised Greenpeace that they could be stuck in Malta for months if they pressed charges.
As they say, "If you can't stand the heat, don't go into the kitchen"

David Borg Cardona

Jun 24th 2009, 11:17

If somebody should press charges.. that's definetely not Greenpeace !! Their actions in the Grand Harbour have proved yet once again their irresponsibility and their total lack of rational thinking .As is so typical of any other extremist organisation all over the planet !!

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Jun 24th 2009, 11:16

This is SHEER ARROGANCE!! Provoking, trespassing - did this lady expect to be welcomed with a bouquet of roses?!! To add insult to injury, GP's accusations were unfounded as no tuna was found aboard!!!

I would expect the Maltese Government to prosecute GP individuals for their illegal actions!!!

Joe Cordina

Jun 24th 2009, 11:14

Of course they would not press charges, they were breaking the law themselves!

Ivan Scicluna - Rabat

Jun 24th 2009, 10:59

WHAT CHEEK!

Greenpeace should be sued EVERYTIME they breach the law and tresspass on private property.

D. MANGION

Jun 24th 2009, 10:54

HEY PEOPLE ! WAKE UP !

This is a recorded image of a man repeatedly punching a woman ! The woman has not used any sort of violence against this man. So we just cannot speak about self defence.

If anything, he was supposed to be defending his private property. But again this is debatable. Is he the owner of the ship ? What is he defending ? His comany's image ? The image of Spain ? The male race ?

THE MINUTE THAT WE START TO JUSTIFY MALE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, WE KNOW WHERE WE START BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHERE WE WOULD BE ENDING.

A man must NEVER repeatedly punch a woman in her face, unless she is armed and using violence against him.

And yes...I am a male.

I expect female bloggers to be outrageous in front of such a scene and not let any political tinge blurr their line of thought.

Claire Bonello

Jun 24th 2009, 10:49

@Carla Mifsud - I'm sorry to burst your bubble but shooting the protestor would not have been "perfectly legal" as you put it. Provocation may be a mitigating factor but it is not a complete defence. There was no piracy involved either. This was one unarmed woman boarding a ship full of burly men - how big a threat could she pose? Couldn't they have handled the situation without resorting to violence?

Matthew Galea

Jun 24th 2009, 10:48

Although I do believe that the lady was trying to be a super hero as I do acknowledge the fact that Greenpeace members SHOULD know the law, the maltese Fisherman did not act in any better way. It's true that if someone is trespassing property you restrain them but you don't just beat them. If they just washed them with water that would have been perfectly fine, and it was perfectly fine to throw them overbaord. I would however detain the person who was cheering his friend at beating her. Is this the way to come to conclusions? Rather then Greenpeace it was a PIECE OF THIS!!

Raymond Camilleri

Jun 24th 2009, 10:47

Most of the comments below show the provincial, backwardness and conservative attitude of the chattering classes... sewwa ghamiltu Greenpeace...your actions put the spotlight on issues that the people commenting here choose to ignore...l-aqwa l-flus, flus, flus ghalihom u daqshekk!! all this whining about private property etc. just because of a spectacular protest is silly...some people should get a life... since their life seems to be work-home-work-home-work-home ....

D.Caruana

Jun 24th 2009, 10:46

Att J.Spiteri,

Maybe rather than arrogantly trying tho board the ship Greenpeace should have ASKED for permission. If there wasn't anything illegal, as is the case, they would have probably been allowed.
What makes these so called 'ambjentalisti' think they are police officers or above the law.
Just like when CABS were here.....entering private land at will, spying with binoculars invading people's privacy!
Last time I checked that was illegal.

As for not pressing charges.....Is she for real? what does this person think she is?

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Jun 24th 2009, 10:40

The activist that was beaten will not press charges. I wonder why?

What if somebody, apart from the police, decided you have something illegal in your house and decided he has a right to go in an investigate. Would you allow him to enter? And if not, and he persisted even after verbal warnings do you not have a right to stop him from entering your private property?

Resorting to violence is condemned at all times but so is provocation.

Greenpeace provoked these incidents without doubt. The fact that police investigations led to nothing illegal is proof enough. Even if anything illegal was found, they still have no right to investigate.

GreenPeace activists apart from provoking trouble and trying to board vessels illegally also trespassed on a restricted area and ignored orders from port security personnel.

Are Greenpeace above the law? There are ways and means of protecting our planet. Certainly provoking people to violence and disrespecting a county's laws is not one of them.

But then, all Greenpeace wants is publicity for its martyrs. They certainly managed this time round.

J Farrugia

Jun 24th 2009, 10:22

The Joke of the Year.....Green Peace will not press charges !!! Press charges for what?? For blocking the ports of Malta? For piracy in territorial waters? For boarding a ship without the consent of the captain? For provocations? It should be the other way round. It should be the company owning the ships that should have pressed charges and impounded their ship in port. No wonder they left Malta port without trumpets, since they knew that legal action was being taken against them. And they would have been left without a ship to go back to.

Roderick THeuma

Jun 24th 2009, 10:16

"Greenpeace activist will not press charges after scuffle" --- What is this nonsense? This is akin to a burgler trying to steal a house tripping on the porch and sueing the people living in the home! Even though they will not press charges but to think they have the right to press charges after trying to board a property illegally (which last time I checked was called PIRACY), is disgusting!

John Azzopardi

Jun 24th 2009, 10:15

Although it is true nobody has the right to enter private property without permission, the reaction of one of the fishermen was totally out of proportion. In fact one of the fisherman's colleagues is shown trying to restrain him.

Tony Caruana

Jun 24th 2009, 10:10

Will the Malta Police be taking action against Green Peace ? I wonder ?

" However, he questioned why the fishermen "were violent" if they had nothing to hide."

Because we are MALTESE and we do not like muddling Foreigners !! And because they were defending their private property acting in self defence.

Joe Camilleri

Jun 24th 2009, 10:06

Is this a JOKE or what. It is the fishermen + the govt who should be pressing charges against greenpeace.

C.R. Taliana

Jun 24th 2009, 09:59

I don't think she can press charges as she was trespassing private property.

J Spiteri

Jun 24th 2009, 09:55

This is what you get from people who do things from the heart ! Well-done Greenpeace. It would have been easier for the fishermen to let them check, rather than making a fuss and forcing others to perceive that they were actually hiding something !

The man in the red shirt should feel ashamed for beating up a woman in the presence of the national media.

D.MANGION

Jun 24th 2009, 09:51

How very macho !

A man repeatedly punching a woman in the face whilst she is not using violence at any point.

It should not be Greenpeace who press charges.

If he does this in front of cameras without any restraint, imagine what he would do to his wife in the shelter of his house walls.

anthea doughty

Jun 24th 2009, 09:45

Despite this young lady's decision not to press charges, watching the video a violent assault takes place and the authorities/police should be pressing charges. Equally the Greenpeace protesters do not have the right to climb on board without permission.....

D Vella

Jun 24th 2009, 09:44

Due restraint...a punch to the face and being thrown overboard. Now I know.

Carla Mifsud

Jun 24th 2009, 09:44

Press Charges??? She illegally tried to pirate a perfectly legal and private ship! I think the fishermen should press charges against her. With her actions they could have shot her and it would have been still perfectly legal, as what she did is completly illegal!!!! The fishermen risk their lives every day for some corporate owner. If she has an issue with that she should go to their head office and not with the little guys.

Greenpace did a lot of good things, they managed to get nuclear banned from Germany thus the Germans now buy power from France which in turn is nuclear again. Really short sighted strategy I must say.