CHOOSE LIFE DISARMAMENT ACTION: On April 19, 1997, two Swedish peace activists, Cecelia Redner, a priest in the Church of Sweden, and Marija Fischer, a student, entered the Bufors Arms factory in Karlskoga, Sweden, planted an apple tree and attempted to disarm a naval canon being exported to Indonesia. Cecelia was charged with attempt to commit malicious damage and Marija with assisting. Both were also charged with violating a law which protects facilities important to society.”

Both women were convicted on February 25, 1998. They argued, 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 cannot 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 was sentenced to fines and three years of correctional education. Fischer was sentenced to fines and two years suspended sentence.

Both the prosecutor and defendants appealed the case. No jail sentence was imposed.