22/2/2012 - Media Release

 

Environmental Campaigner Ali Alishah has been today sentenced for 3 months jail for protests against Gunns Ltd proposed pulp mill, the Malaysian logging giant Ta Ann and logging in high conservation value forests.

 

Ali Alishah, 28, appeared in the Magistrates court in Hobart charged with breaching a suspended sentence.

 

In September 2011, Alishah spent five weeks and four days in Risdon Prison for breaching his bail conditions. This time spent in jail will be taken off his three month sentence.

 

Alishah was also given a three month jail sentence for trespass and committing a nuisance, suspended on the condition he is of good behaviour for two years.

 

‘Ali is a non violent protestor with a strong dedication to environmental justice, it was very emotional to witness a member of our activist community, leave the court room for Risdon prison.  We will conduct a prisoner support campaign for Ali, which will include posting him letters while he is serving his time,’ Huon Valley Environment Centre’s Jenny Weber said.

 

‘Ali Alishah is the first forest activist to be sentenced to prison for non violent protest in Tasmania.  Though his sentence will not deter our non violent direct action campaign, we will continue to demonstrate about the logging of high conservation value forests in Tasmania,’ Jenny Weber said.