Obviously, the ruling group hopes to paint dissidents as "common criminals", stripping the case of its political character.

Judge Hehir ruled that the climate crisis was “irrelevant” to the trial, and that evidence about climate change could play no part in the defendants’ defence.

When defendants refused to comply with the judge’s direction to finish their evidence without explaining their reasons for taking action, claiming they were honouring their oath to tell the whole truth, they were arrested in court and dragged to the cells.

During the trial, protesters outside the court were also arrested on charges of alleged contempt for holding signs reading: “Jurors have the right to hear the whole truth”. More were arrested on the day of the sentencing.

Climate Activists Get Longest Sentences for Peaceful Protest in British History

Just Stop Oil activists have received four and five-year prison sentences after being found guilty of conspiring to block traffic on the M25. Clare Hymer reports.

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