Greta Thunberg acquitted over hotel protest: Insufficient evidence, says London court

The young Swedish activist and four other individuals were accused of blocking access to a hotel. A conference hosting representatives from the gas and oil industry was taking place there at that moment. On Friday, February 2, the verdict was given by the Magistrate's Court of the Westminster borough in London. Greta Thunberg was acquitted of the charges brought against her.

The judge presiding over the Greta Thunberg case, John Law, commented that there were "significant holes in the evidence" presented against the environmental activist and the four other co-defendants. It's worth noting that Thunberg and 26 others were arrested on October 17, 2023.

The incident occurred outside the InterContinental London Park Lane hotel in London. The annual conference of the oil and gas sector, labelled the Energy Intelligence Forum, was taking place inside. Greta and her fellow protesters blocked the entrance to the hotel and disregarded police orders to leave the street.

Whilst explaining the decision to acquit, the judge suggested that less restrictive measures could have been employed by the police. In Judge Law's view, the officers did not clearly specify where the activists protesting outside the hotel should go. Additionally, the order to disperse "was so vague that it was not in compliance with the law". Therefore, the judge concluded that those failing to comply with it did not commit any crime.