MADRID, November 18 (Sputnik) — The Spanish government has seized the Arctic Sunrise vessel of Greenpeace at the Arrecife port of the island of Lanzarote, the non-governmental environmental organization reported Tuesday, citing the Spanish Ministry of Public Works and Transportation.
"We will not accept it. We repeat we will not be silenced neither with multi-million fines nor with violent assaults or threats. And we are asking ourselves what interests the [Spanish] government pursues by putting all of its efforts to defend the interests of Repsol [a Spanish oil and gas company] against an environmental organization that is representing millions of people, who oppose oil exploration in the Canaries," Mario Rodriguez, director of Greenpeace Spain, was quoted as saying on the organization's official website.
"The arrest of the vessel is a violation of the right to defend the environment," Rodriguez concluded.
The Spanish Ministry of Public Works and Transportation has initiated proceedings against the captain of the Arctic Sunrise for alleged "offense against the ordination of maritime traffic." Under Spanish laws, it constitutes a serious offense punishable with fine for up to 300,000 euro (about $376,000).
Greenpeace reported there is an opportunity for the ship to be released on a 50,000 euro (about $62,000) bail.
