27 protesters arrested at Statkraft in Chile

Lysaker.Statkraft.Photo : Fredrik Hagen / NTB scanpix

27 protesters broke into Statkraft’s premises in Chile to protest against the construction of several hydropower plants in an area they consider sacred, according to VG.

 

Last Tuesday morning, the indigenous tribe, Mapuche Indians, walked into the offices of the Norwegian power company in Osorno.

“Seven employees were forced to leave the building,” says Communications Manager Torbjørn Steen in Statkraft to VG. Then the protesters held an appeal inside the premises.

All 27 were detained because of fear that the situation would escalate. They were released twelve hours later.

The background for the demonstration is a disagreement about three power projects by the river Pilmaiquén. Interests Alianza Mapuche Williche Toki Kalfvllikan claims the rights to the development of the projects were not acquired in a fair way and that the areas discussed are sacred lands for them.

 

©  NTB Scanpix / Norway Today