\n<\/p>\n
Two environmental activists who protested to protect whales in Iceland in 2023 are now facing legal charges.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n On Thursday, Elissa Phillips<\/a> and Anahita Babaei<\/a>, the president of The Last Whaling Station<\/a>, appeared in court in Reykjav\u00edk.<\/p>\n They are charged with burglary and violations of maritime safety laws for boarding the whaling ships Hvalur 8 and Hvalur 9 without permission and refusing to leave when ordered by police. Their charges could lead up to years in prison and fines.<\/p>\n In September 2023, the two women climbed the masts<\/a> of the ships and stayed there for about 36 hours to protest against the operations of Hvalur hf.<\/a>, a whaling company in Iceland.<\/p>\n Their protest ended after negotiations with police, and they were taken into custody. Hvalur hf. filed charges the same day.<\/p>\n \u201cThey took a stand for the voiceless, risking their freedom to protect endangered whales from harpoons,\u201d the Seaspiracy<\/a> movement said.<\/p>\n \u201cTheir peaceful action was a call to the world: whaling must end. But instead of holding the whalers accountable, the legal system is targeting those who tried to stop the violence.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe were arrested in Iceland after peacefully protesting the slaughter of endangered fin whales. We climbed into the crow\u2019s nests of two commercial whaling vessels, delaying the hunt for over 33 hours and shining a global spotlight on a practice the world cannot ignore,\u201d the women said on their GoFundMe<\/a> page to cover their legal costs.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was peaceful, civil disobedience. Now, we face serious legal consequences for standing up for what\u2019s right,\u201d they added.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are fundraising to do everything we can to win this case because defending the right to protest is vital to protect our planet and all its inhabitants,\u201d Phillips and Babaei said.<\/p>\n In April 2025, Hvalur hf. announced it would not kill fin whales<\/a> this summer. The company cited economic reasons, including falling product prices in Japan, its main market, and global market instability.<\/p>\n Despite the cancellation, the Icelandic government has not changed its position on whaling. In December 2024, it issued five-year permits for the hunting of 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales.<\/p>\n Animal rights groups continue to call for a permanent ban on whaling in Iceland.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We\u2019re an independent animal news platform based in the Netherlands. Our supporters are the ones who empower us to stay independent, free from the influence of commercial interests or political agendas.<\/p>\n We also want our content to remain accessible to all. Our coverage of animal-related issues, conservation efforts, and human impacts on wildlife is always free. We believe in the universal right to information.<\/p>\n However, operating an independent news agency requires resources, and that\u2019s where you come in. If our cause resonates with you, we\u2019re asking for your support.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s a one-time donation of as little as \u20ac1, or a recurring monthly contribution, every bit helps us continue our work. As a smaller news agency<\/a>, your support has a substantial impact.<\/p>\n Thank you for considering supporting us.<\/p>\n Peaceful protest<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Whaling in Iceland<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Will you support us?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n