Indigenous leader Alberto Curamil, a 'green Nobel' winner, acquitted in Chile

By Liam Miller with NBC News Tech and Science News last updated: 13/12/2019 - 22:13



SANTIAGO, Chile  An indigenous Chilean leader who faced up to 50 years in prison walked free Friday after judges unanimously acquitted him of all charges.



Alberto Curamil, 45, was charged with armed robbery and possession of illegal weapons, accusations that supporters say were politically motivated and aimed at silencing his activism. A co-defendant, Álvaro Millalén, was also acquitted.



The charges against Curamil came after he led a move that halted the construction of hydroelectric dams on a sacred river in southern Chile, earning him the 2019 Goldman Environmental Prize, known as the "green Nobel" or the "environmental Nobel."



Speaking outside the court, Curamil's daughter, Belén, 18, who championed his case internationally, said: "I am very happy because we knew that both Alberto Curamil and Álvaro Millalén were innocent. If they were imprisoned for so long, it is because they raised their voices and fought for our territory, for the freedom of our 'mapu,' the freedom of our rivers and the freedom of the Mapuche people."







Alberto Curamil.Pudu Media



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By Liam Miller with NBC News Tech and Science News last updated: 13/12/2019 - 22:13SANTIAGO, Chile  An indigenous Chilean leader who faced up to 50 years in prison walked free Friday after judges unanimously acquitted him of all charges.Alberto Curamil, 45, was charged with armed robbery and possession of illegal weapons, accusations that supporters say were politically motivated and aimed at silencing his activism. A co-defendant, Álvaro Millalén, was also acquitted.The charges against Curamil came after he led a move that halted the construction of hydroelectric dams on a sacred river in southern Chile, earning him the 2019 Goldman Environmental Prize, known as the "green Nobel" or the "environmental Nobel."Speaking outside the court, Curamil's daughter, Belén, 18, who championed his case internationally, said: "I am very happy because we knew that both Alberto Curamil and Álvaro Millalén were innocent. If they were imprisoned for so long, it is because they raised their voices and fought for our territory, for the freedom of our 'mapu,' the freedom of our rivers and the freedom of the Mapuche people."Alberto Curamil.Pudu MediaMore: 1 Tweet