The Foundation for Biomedical Research applauds the guilty verdict which was delivered today in the case of six animal extremists who orchestrated and waged a national campaign of threats, vandalism and harassment. Federal agents in four states arrested the extremists, who were affiliated with SHAC USA, on charges relating to an organized campaign of intimidation and harassment against a company that tests pharmaceuticals on animals.

SHAC USA, a radical animal extremist group, faced federal charges relating to a multi-year conspiracy of intimidation and harassment against Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS), a medical research laboratory with its U.S. headquarters in New Jersey. The charge carries up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The group was charged with conspiracy to engage in interstate stalking and three counts of interstate stalking. Each of those charges carries up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The stalking charges accuse the activists of placing three people, and their families, in fear of death or injury.

Their actions included "telephone and e-mail blitzes, fax blitzes and computer blockades against HLS in order to divert HLS employees from their regular work," the indictment charged.

The trial was the government’s first attempt to curb the growing threat of animal extremism since the Animal Enterprise Protection Act was amended in 2002 to include the crime of "animal enterprise terrorism."

HLS, a legitimate business that is vital to the American research community, has long endured years of despicable campaigning against its executives, shareholders, customers and suppliers by a group of animal extremists known as “SHAC.”

Frankie L. Trull is president of the Foundation for Biomedical Research, the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to promoting public understanding, respect and support for humane and responsible animal research. Six Nobel laureates, 13 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 13 fellows of the National Academy of Sciences, a former Surgeon General and a former Cabinet Secretary serve on its board of directors.

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NEWS STORIES

BIO Statement on Guilty Verdicts in SHAC Trial
WASHINGTON, March 3 - The Hon. James C. Greenwood, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), released the following statement regarding Thursday's guilty verdict in the criminal trial of the animal extremist group SHAC (Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty) and six of its members.
Read the statement

Six Animal Rights Advocates Are Convicted of Terrorism
New York Times, March 3 - The case was the first test of the Animal Enterprise Terror Act, enacted in 1992 to curb the most aggressive tactics used by activists. The verdict, which came after 14 hours of deliberation, was called an insidious threat to free speech by some activists, but was cheered by research scientists, some of whom are lobbying Congress to tighten restrictions on protesters.
Read the article

Animal rights group guilty of inciting terror
Thursday, March 2, 2006; Posted: 4:22 p.m. EST (21:22 GMT)
Associated Press
TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) -- A federal jury on Thursday convicted an animal rights group and six of its members of inciting violence and terror during their campaign to shut down a company that uses animals to test drugs and consumer products.
Read the article

N.J. jury convicts animal rights activists
by Jeffrey Gold
Associated Press
TRENTON, N.J. - An animal rights group and six members were convicted Thursday of inciting violence against a company that tests drugs and household products on animals.
Read the article

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THE CHARGES

On March 2, 2006, all six SHAC defendants were convicted of six counts by a jury of 7 woman and 5 men.

Count 1: Conspiracy to violate Animal Enterprise Protection Act, 18 USC 43 (All 6 defendants)
Count 2: Conspiracy to violate Interstate Stalking Act, 18 USC 2261(a)(1), (Kjonaas, Gazzola, Conroy)
Count 3: Substantive count of Interstate Stalking Act, 18 USC 2261(a)(1) ;Aiding and Abetting is also involved in this count, 18 USC 2 (Kjonaas, Gazzola, Conroy)
Count 4: Substantive count of Interstate Stalking Act, 18 USC 2261(a)(1) ; Aiding and Abetting is also involved in this count, 18 USC 2 (Kjonaas, Gazzola, Conroy)
Count 5: Substantive count of Interstate Stalking Act, 18 USC 2261(a)(1); Aiding and Abetting is also involved in this count, 18 USC 2 (Kjonaas, Gazzola, Conroy)
Count 6: Conspiracy to violate Telephone Harassment Act, 18 USC 223 (Kjonaas, Gazzola, Harper)

Learn more in the FBR Illegal Incidents Report