Ashcroft Loses Controversial Prosecution Against NGO

In a rebuke to the U.S. Justice Department, a Miami federal judge threw out a criminal case against environmental group Greenpeace, a prosecution that was watched closely by other progressive organizations that say they are under threat from the Bush administration.

The judge acquitted the group for protesting against a ship that carried illegally cut mahogany. He said the prosecution, which based the action on an obscure 1872 law, had failed to provide enough evidence.

The statute was originally intended to keep houses of prostitution and rum shops from luring sailors on incoming ships to shore with promises of women and grog.

The case marked the first time a non-governmental organization (NGO) had been indicted by the federal government for the protest activities of its members.

The Justice Department insisted the prosecution was not politically motivated but was undertaken to prevent people from illegally attempting to board ships or threaten port security. The port of Miami denied berthing space for Greenpeace boats after the indictment was filed.

NGO supporters of Greenpeace doubted that explanation. "I'm not na�ve enough to think the government will cease its efforts to suppress dissent," said ACLU's Simon, while Mitch Bernard, NRDC litigation director, told the press, "The government is full of cards it can play if it wants to continue to stifle dissent. Unfortunately, I don't see any reason for believing this is the end. Non-profit groups and advocates need to be on their guard for this sort of thing."

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Judge dismisses Ashcroft attempt to shut down Greenpeace:

Greenpeace USA