3 activists convicted over nuclear facility break-in
Source: Agencies |
May 10, 2013, Friday
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A US federal jury have convicted an elderly nun and two other peace activists for damage they caused in breaking into a defense facility where enriched uranium for nuclear bombs is stored.
Sister Megan Rice, who was 82 at the time of the incident, Michael Walli and Greg Boertje-Obed admitted cutting fences and making their way across the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in July 2012, embarrassing US officials and prompting security changes.
Jurors on Wednesday deliberated for about 2-1/2 hours before rendering the verdict. Rice stood straight up and smiled when it was read. Supporters of the three gasped and some began to cry before singing a hymn as the judge left the courtroom.
All three were convicted of damaging a national defense premises under the sabotage act, which carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years, and of causing more than US$1,000 of damage to US government property, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
"These are people of conscious, nonviolence and justice. And they certainly put the US government to shame," said Paul Magno, a supporter of the activists.
Prosecutors contended that the break-in at Y-12 disrupted operations, endangered US national security, and caused physical damage that cost more than US$8,500 to repair.
Defense attorneys said the activists had taken part in a symbolic break-in that did not harm the facility. They had no intent to harm the facility and the damage cost was overstated, they said.
Sister Megan Rice, who was 82 at the time of the incident, Michael Walli and Greg Boertje-Obed admitted cutting fences and making their way across the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in July 2012, embarrassing US officials and prompting security changes.
Jurors on Wednesday deliberated for about 2-1/2 hours before rendering the verdict. Rice stood straight up and smiled when it was read. Supporters of the three gasped and some began to cry before singing a hymn as the judge left the courtroom.
All three were convicted of damaging a national defense premises under the sabotage act, which carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years, and of causing more than US$1,000 of damage to US government property, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
"These are people of conscious, nonviolence and justice. And they certainly put the US government to shame," said Paul Magno, a supporter of the activists.
Prosecutors contended that the break-in at Y-12 disrupted operations, endangered US national security, and caused physical damage that cost more than US$8,500 to repair.
Defense attorneys said the activists had taken part in a symbolic break-in that did not harm the facility. They had no intent to harm the facility and the damage cost was overstated, they said.
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