Erika legal case may be annulled

LONG-RUNNING legal action related to the 1999 Erika tanker disaster could be annulled.

The Erika was a Maltese oil tanker that sank off the coast of Brittany, causing widespread environmental damage to French coasts.

The public prosecutor in the case, which is being heard at top appeal court La Cour de Cassation, has stated in a written opinion that the legal case should be annulled because France has no jurisdiction to hear it.

He said the sinking occurred in international waters, not French ones, which means it should have been the courts of the country where the tanker was registered (ie. Malta) that were competent, not French courts.

MEP and Former French environment Minister Corinne Lepage said that, if the decision goes ahead, it will be “catastrophic” and signal that oil companies have “impunity and can do anything they like”.

The current legal action relates to attempts by oil company Total to overturn a criminal conviction and large fines.

The firm has already paid compensation to victims.

A decision is expected on May 24.