1 comment.FKNK case against BirdLife ” drags on” – BLM activists give evidence in court
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BirdLife Malta activists today gave their evidence in court to answer charges brought against them by the FKNK in connection with their work saving illegally shot birds.
Nicholas Barbara and Fiona Burrows are charged with possession of protected species of birds, following a complaint made to the police by the FKNK hunting federation. The charges relate to a photograph released by BirdLife Malta in October 2012, showing staff and volunteers with birds which had been illegally shot, found by members of the public and brought to BirdLife in order for them to be seen by a vet.
Speaking after the court hearing today, Nicholas Barbara said, “these birds were all illegally shot during an open autumn hunting season but instead of condemning illegal hunting, FKNK have accused us of criminal acts for trying to save the birds. This drags on and is a waste of our time and taxpayers money.”
“The birds were brought to a vet who found that all seven had gunshot injuries; one was blinded in the eye and five had broken wings. Five had injuries so bad that they had no chance of recovery and were euthanized by the vet. One, a young marsh harrier, was able to be released on Comino but it had lead shot in its shoulder,” he said.
The court heard “how every incident of injured birds brought to, or collected by BirdLife Malta is strictly documented, with information sent to the police and the Government.” Mr Barbara also told the court that it was not unknown for the police to phone BirdLife Malta and ask the organisation to collect birds.
In a previous sitting, charges were dropped against another BirdLife Malta staff member, Caroline Rance, when the court heard that she was not in the photograph in question.
Sentencing will be delivered on the 6th of May 2015. The court had suggested the case should finish next week but BirdLife Malta said “the FKNK’s lawyer could not seem to find an available date until after the 11th of April.”
Photo: “Illegally shot hoopoe Oct 2012, one of the birds related to the case.” BirdLife Malta Archive
In the world history of legal cases brought against anyone this has to be the most utterly absurd. It makes the law an ass. I’d like to know how much it’s costing the taxpayer.