Island Bombing Protesters Arrested

An anti-Navy activist and his son pleaded innocent Friday to trespassing in restricted U.S. Navy waters off the Puerto Rican island of Vieques.

Carlos Zenon, 65, and his son, Yabureibo Zenon Encarnacion, 21, are opposed to the Navy’s use of the island as a bombing range.

The son was arrested at home by FBI and Puerto Rican agents, police said. He appeared later Friday before a federal judge in San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital.

His father, a fisherman, was not arrested but walked into court during his son’s hearing and his case also was heard, with both pleading innocent.

The two were released after posting bail of $5,000 each. Federal Magistrate Gustavo Gelpi ordered them to stay home between 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. unless the Navy is conducting bombing exercises, in which case they have to remain inside during the day as well.

The magistrate also forbade the elder Zenon from going fishing in his boat, at which point the activist said: “I won’t accept that.” He did not say whether he would appeal.

The two were indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury, the FBI and the U.S. territory’s federal prosecutor said. If convicted, they could face a maximum penalty of six months in prison and fines.

The Navy has used a bombing range on the eastern tip of Vieques for six decades, training sailors for conflicts from World War II to the Persian Gulf War. Opponents say the bombardment harms the environment and health of Vieques’ 9,100 residents. The Navy denies the accusations.

Hundreds of protesters have been arrested for trespassing on the firing range since 1999, when errant bombs killed a Puerto Rican security guard on the range.

FBI spokesman Eric Rivera said the charges against Zenon and his son date to Oct. 4. Videos submitted before the court show Zenon in one boat and his son in another, both being pursued by Navy vessels and a helicopter.