Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg (R) speaks to the press following a court appearance in Malmo, Sweden, 24 July 2023. Thunberg is charged with disobeying police at a climate action in Norra Hamnen, in which activists blocked the port in the city of Malmo. EPA-EFE/Andreas Hillergren SWEDEN 
Thunberg, 20, who became the face of young climate activists world-wide after staging weekly protests in front of the Swedish parliament, admitted that she had disobeyed the police order but pleaded not guilty and said that she was acting out of necessity.
"It is absurd that those who act in line with science should pay the price for it," she told reporters in the court.
Thunberg earlier told the court that her actions were justifiable. "I believe that we are in an emergency that threatens life, health and property. Countless people and communities are at risk both in the short term and in the long term," she said.
The court ordered Thunberg to pay 1,500 Swedish crowns ($144) and an additional 1,000 crowns to the fund for crime victims. The fine was applied in proportion to her reported income. Failing to disobey a police order carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison.
Thunberg and other activists from the group Reclaim the Future blocked the road for oil trucks in Malmo harbour on June 19. She was charged for failing to leave when ordered to do so by police.
(Reporting by Johan Ahlander and Tom Little; Editing by Simon Johnson and Tomasz Janowski)