Greta Thunberg, the renowned climate activist, has been accused by Swedish authorities of disobeying a police order for the first time. The charge stems from her involvement in a protest held in Malmö in June. While this offense can carry a prison sentence of up to six months, it is more common for such cases to result in fines.
On June 19, Greta was arrested by riot police for her refusal to leave a blockade at an oil terminal in Malmö’s port, as reported by Deutsche Welle. Swedish prosecutors announced on Wednesday their decision to charge the “young woman” for defying police orders during the climate change protest held in Malmö.
A spokesperson for the 20-year-old climate activist confirmed the charges, emphasizing that this is the first instance of such action being taken against her. The charges are related to a multi-day climate protest that disrupted shipping traffic in Malmö’s oil port.
Greta, alongside organizers from the group Ta Tillbaka Framtiden (Reclaiming the Future), played a role in obstructing traffic in the port, leading to their subsequent arrest by the police. Ta Tillbaka Framtiden, the activist organization, acknowledged on Wednesday that criminal charges had been filed against the activists due to their participation in an action that “endangers our future.”
During the protest, Greta actively commented on the events, even sharing a selfie on Twitter with the caption “Jag blockerar tankbilar” (I block tankers) while positioned in front of one. At the time, she expressed on Instagram, “We chose not to be bystanders and instead physically halt fossil fuel infrastructure. We are reclaiming the future.”
Greta Thunberg has been at the forefront of the youth climate movement ever since inspiring the Friday’s For Future initiative, which originated from her initial solo “school strike” at the Swedish parliament, the Riksdag, when she was just 15 years old. Since then, she has fearlessly addressed the urgency of the climate crisis, engaging with activists, government officials, and business leaders alike.
In March, following the release of the IPCC’s (United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) annual report, she strongly criticized officials for their “unprecedented betrayal.”
Greta is scheduled to appear in Malmö District Court by the end of July. While the charge of criminal disobedience of a police order carries a maximum prison term of six months, prosecutor Charlotte Ottosen informed Swedish media that most cases typically result in fines.
