On April 19, 1997, Cecilia Redner and Marija Fischer from the Swedish women's plowshares group Choose Life entered the arms factory of Bofors in Karlskoga.  There they planted an apple tree and attempted to disarm a naval cannon of the type that is being exported to Indonesia, a protest against the occupation and oppression by Indonesia of the people of East Timor.  They were charged with malicious damage and violation of a law to protect facilities important to society.

Both women were convicted on February 25, arguing over repeated interruptions by the judge that, in Redner's words, "When my country is arming a dictator I am not allowed to be passive and obedient, since it would make me guilty to [the crime of] genocide in East Timor.  I know what is going on and I can not only blame the Indonesian dictatorship or my own government.  Our plowshares action was a way for us to take responsibility and act in solidarity with the people of East Timor."  Fischer added, "We tried to prevent a crime, and that is an obligation according to our law."

Redner, a priest in the Church of Sweden, was sentenced to fines and three years of correctional education.  Fischer, a student, was sentenced to fines and two years suspended sentence.  The women plan an appeal.

For more information, contact Svärd till Plogbillar, Blomstigen 10 424 37, Angered, Sweden. E-mail info@plowshares.se and on the internet at http://www.plowshares.se/

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last updated July 10 1998