Summit protesters charges dropped
10 Aug 05
Cases "not called" at Falkirk Sheriff Court
The Crown Office has confirmed that it will not be taking any further proceedings against 30 G8 Summit protesters.
The 30 include people from the UK, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Australia, Canada and Belgium who appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last month.
The 30 had faced charges relating to demonstrations that took place in Stirling and Bannockburn during the week of the G8 Summit. All of the accused had denied the charges, which had ranged from breach of the peace, forming part of a disorderly crowd, to throwing missiles at the police and obstructing traffic on the M9.
All the cases have been treated as "not called".
A spokesman from the Crown Office said the charges had been dropped after the procurator fiscal had considered all the facts and circumstances.
However, Kenny MacAskill, the SNP justice spokesman, wanted to know why the cases were brought to court if they were not considered worthy of prosecution. The Liberal Democrats' justice spokesman, Jeremy Purvis, said he expected charges to be led against people when the police believed offences had been committed.