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Blocked track to the Jänschwalde power plant: identities not disclosed, four coal opponents in custody
Photo: Patrick Pleul / dpa
Just a few weeks ago, a climate activist was sentenced for the first time in the recent past – because of the blockade of a freeway, he has to do 60 hours of free time.
Will the blockers of the Jänschwalde lignite power plant also get off so lightly?
After the occupation of the track and conveyor systems of the power plant, four climate activists involved in the occupation are now in custody.
This was ordered by the competent district court.
The three women and one man were taken to prisons, according to the investigative authorities in Cottbus.
The public prosecutor accuses them, among other things, of trespassing and disrupting public services.
For the latter charge, the law provides for a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine.
Leag calls for consistent punishment
A group calling itself the "Involuntary Fire Brigade" entered the power plant's premises on Monday, chained themselves to tracks and occupied coal conveyors.
According to their own statements, they are protesting against the operation of the Jänschwalde opencast mine and the consequences of lignite-fired power generation in the power plant.
The police were in action with a larger contingent.
The public prosecutor's office in Cottbus applied to the district court for a total of 17 coal power opponents to be remanded in custody on Tuesday because they did not want to reveal their identity.
During hearings, 13 people provided the necessary information about themselves.
Arrest warrants that had already been issued were lifted and these people were subsequently released.
According to the broadcaster RBB, the four climate activists were detained for two months.
"From the point of view of the public prosecutor's office, milder measures would be applicable if the accused revealed their identities in a verifiable manner," it says.
The energy company Leag called for a consistent punishment of the environmental activists.
It speaks of a targeted and risky “attack on security of supply”.
Because of the blockade action, the group temporarily shut down two power plant blocks on Monday.
In the meantime, half of the power plant was not in operation.
It was said that more than one gigawatt of secured capacity was not available for hours.
The protest took place a few days before the Jänschwalde coal-fired power plant went online again with two reserve units in addition to the four units still in operation.
They are scheduled to go online again on October 1 due to the energy crisis in order to have more energy security.
apr/dpa