Court Acquits Greenpeace Activists in Landmark El Algarrobico Case
The Criminal Court 1 of Almería has ruled to acquit 28 individuals accused of vandalizing the façade of the contentious El Algarrobico Hotel during a Greenpeace demonstration in May 2014. The action involved painting a large graffiti that read 'Illegal Hotel' at the site located in Carboneras, a move that has brought to light ongoing tensions over environmental protection and construction legality within Spain's ecological areas.
Following the verdict, Eva Saldaña, the director of Greenpeace Spain, expressed satisfaction, stating, "We celebrate that all individuals have been acquitted. This new ruling confirms that El Algarrobico should have been a part of history a long time ago. Those responsible should pay for the damages and restore the ecosystem."
The prosecution had previously sought a penalty of one thousand euros and a one-year prison sentence for each accused individual, alongside a demand for 186,703 euros in reparations from the hotel owner for damages. The hotel owner demanded a monetary penalty of 1,080 euros for each accused and a prison term of one year for alleged disobedience.
However, both the prosecution and the defense came to a consensus that no crime had been committed, largely due to the inability to definitively identify those responsible for the graffiti. Although some accused individuals were spotted on the beach, none could be definitively linked to activities inside the hotel itself, leading to the court's ruling which upheld the presumption of innocence.
Furthermore, the judiciary noted that it had not been established that any defendants had forcibly entered the hotel by breaking locks or had painted the façade during the Greenpeace action. Evidence also indicated that there was no violation of directives from the Civil Guard agents present at the site, further complicating the case against the accused.
As for the owner of El Algarrobico, a hotel constructed by Azata del Sol within the ecologically sensitive Cabo de Gata Natural Park, a decision on whether to appeal this ruling is anticipated. Greenpeace sees this latest decision as another milestone in its protracted battle against El Algarrobico, insisting that the construction is illegal and damaging to the environment.
This ruling adds to over 40 previous legal resolutions that support Greenpeace’s claim and challenge the legitimacy of the hotel’s construction. Despite these victories, the long-standing battle against the hotel—viewed as a symbol of coastal degradation—continues unresolved, as efforts for its demolition have yet to secure a date.
Adding to the complexities surrounding El Algarrobico, the Supreme Court has made it clear that they will not order the hotel’s demolition, dismissing any assertions to raze it further. As it stands, while local authorities have not annulled the hotel’s construction license, the community remains divided and advocates continue to rally for ecological justice and the preservation of natural landscapes.
Related Sources: