Greenpeace has been ordered to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in damages over its protests against an oil pipeline in North Dakota, a decision that the environmental campaign group said could bankrupt its US operations.
A nine-person jury in Mandan, North Dakota, ruled in favour of Texas-based pipeline operator, Energy Transfer, on Wednesday, finding Greenpeace and its US entities responsible for defamation, conspiracy, and physical damage to its Dakota Access Pipeline.
The eight-year legal battle has been closely watched as a test of US free speech laws. Environmental and civil rights lawyers said the verdict was a setback for free speech under US President Donald Trump, who has championed the oil and gas sector and targeted political opponents and the media.