On 4 Sep, 17:19, Tony Dragon btinternet.com> wrote:

"Following a lengthy police investigation and an 18-week trial costing
over £4.5 million, the operator of a website criticising animal
testing company Sequani, has been jailed for four and a half years for
organising a legal protest.

In an unprecedented case, the press were barred from reporting the
trial, witnesses were bussed into the court and mobile phones were
even confiscated from the public before they entered the gallery and
the jury. The atmosphere was more akin to a terrorist trial than one
relating to non-violent protest, which made the charges appear far
more sinister than they in fact were. The choice of judge was also
considered highly questionable considering he is a keen hunter.

Sean Kirtley was found guilty under Section 145 of the SOCPA law for
“Interfering with the contractual relationships of a Laboratory” for
allegedly organising protests at Sequani Limited and associated
business associates. Police say disorder took place on a occasions
during protests and claim as the organiser that Sean is responsible
for any criminality that takes place.

The police claimed that during the protests individuals, not Kirtley,
had been verbally abusive to staff members and that they had caused
them to feel harassed. However, no-one was arrested or charged with
such an offence, and prosecution witnesses testified that Kirtley had
on most occasions been silent and peaceful throughout protests. Whilst
Kirtley contends he did not organise protests at Sequani or its
suppliers, he operated a website which effectively campaigned against
the company. In a move that will alarm internet publishers and
bloggers, posting details of the legal protests and information about
Sequani and suppliers was considered key evidence that he was the
campaign organiser..."