Arrested Luxembourg activist may return soon

The young Luxembourg activist arrested in the Faroe Islands may be returning to Luxembourg shortly, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister has suggested.

Kevin Schiltz was last Friday found guilty of disrupting the region's traditional whale hunt, known as the Grind, along with four other volunteers from conservation group Sea Shepherd.

Given the option of an eight-day prison sentence or a fine of 5,000 kroner (670 euros), Sea Shepherd is appealing the verdict and sentences, an appeal which cannot be heard until October, because the supreme court of Denmark only comes to the islands a few times a year.

But, it is unlikely the 23-year-old, who works at the ice skating rink in Kocklescheuer, will have to remain in the Faroe Islands until then.

Minister Jean Asselborn said in an RTL interview that the judgment against the young Luxembourger was not enforceable.

Schiltz had his passport confiscated but the minister, who has spoken to the man's lawyer, said that could change in the coming days as authorities are preparing a deportation notice.

Schiltz was expected to return to Luxembourg on August 10, after travelling to the Faroe Islands on June 15 as a volunteer with militant activitsts Sea Shepherd.

He was arrested on July 23 while attempting to stop and document the annual pilot whale cull. He was found guilty on August 7 of contravening the Faroese Pilot Whale Act.

The Luxembourger has said he will not pay the fine, preferring a prison sentence if the appeal is thrown out.

A silent vigil in protest against the culling of pilot whales is to be held in front of the Danish Consulate to Luxembourg (1, rue JP Brasseur) on August 14 at 6pm. Supporters are encouraged to wear black shirts.

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