War Trial
Three Oxford Students were this week called to Cirencester Magistrates Court, where they were on trial for aggravated trespass.
The students, all active members of Oxford Students Stop the War, were being tried for their part in the 'Picnic for Peace' action at RAF Fairford on 9th March 2003. During their protest, the three defendants lay down on the runway, causing a complete shut down of the base for half an hour.
The trial began on Monday 23rd February and is now over for the three Oxford students involved. The defendants were denied the right to cite international law as part of their defence; a particular point of contention for student Matt Sellwood: "The war on Iraq was illegal, immoral and involved numerous war crimes. For us not to be allowed to refer to international law is a disgrace."
All three students were offered and accepted bind-overs to keep the peace, meaning that any subsequent breach of the law in the next year will be treated much more seriously.
26th Feb 2004