Zelphiel
05-31-2004, 01:10 PM
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - A member of Greenland's local parliament charged with breaking into a hotel and stealing liquor will plead "self-defense" because it was cold outside, national KNR radio reported on Friday.
Jensine Berthelsen of the liberal Atassut party said she had had to force her way into the hotel in the west coast town of Sisimiut. "It was cold and there was no other way to get in," she told the radio.
Police gave her the choice of a fine or going to court and Berthelsen opted for a trial. "If I pay the fine it amounts to declaring myself guilty, and I don't think I am," she said.
Most of the vast Arctic island, which belongs to Denmark but has limited self-rule under a local parliament, is covered by a layer of ice up to 3 km (1.8 miles) thick.
The report did not say when the trial would start.
Jensine Berthelsen of the liberal Atassut party said she had had to force her way into the hotel in the west coast town of Sisimiut. "It was cold and there was no other way to get in," she told the radio.
Police gave her the choice of a fine or going to court and Berthelsen opted for a trial. "If I pay the fine it amounts to declaring myself guilty, and I don't think I am," she said.
Most of the vast Arctic island, which belongs to Denmark but has limited self-rule under a local parliament, is covered by a layer of ice up to 3 km (1.8 miles) thick.
The report did not say when the trial would start.