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Sea Shepherd founder Watson skips bail in Germany over Japan extradition fear

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First of all, Sea Shepherd is not a vigilante group or terror group. They don't hunt down and punish people. They don't threaten to harm or kill people. Instead, they commit acts of civil disobedience, vandalism, and sabotage in order to interfere with cruel and destructive exploitation of marine life -- often where international protections and laws are being defied by poachers.

If you ram a Costa Rican boat smuggling illegal narcotics in Guatemalan waters does the government of Costa Rica let the drug smugglers go free while heaping charges on you even ten years after the incident? Does the government of Germany then assist Costa Rica in these matters?

Pay attention. The crew of the Varadero was poaching sharks for fins. Shark finning in Costa Rica is an enterprise dominated by organized crime. In fact, these criminals are so brazen they've even openly threatened the lives of environmentalists without fear of consequences or law enforcement. For example, the recent incident where Gordon Ramsay attempted to film shark finning operations and was confronted by gunmen who doused him in gasoline and threatened to kill him. Costa Rican police simply told Ramsay to flee the country for his own safety. THAT is what Sea Shepherd opposed in 2002 when it attempted to bring the Varadero to justice.

Of course, the news media has also failed to mention that Japan is one of the world's largest contributors of Official Development Assistance money to Costa Rica -- over $140 million USD from 2006-2010. Japan's whale poaching also happens to be the subject of Sea Shepherd protest and interference.

This entire fiasco is the political persecution of an activist who has done nothing more than attempt to uphold international conventions and prevent the unlawful and cruel destruction of protected and vulnerable species. It makes absolutely no sense for Germany to recognize Costa Rica's request for extradition.

The nature of protest hasn't changed. Anger the establishment and you become a target. How often are influential activist leaders charged as criminals and worse by governments? How many of them are incarcerated? How many die in prison or as a result of assassination? Paul Watson has good reason to avoid Costa Rican jails.

-3 ( +23 / -26 )

Hey Watson, when it comes to you facing the music, you can't take it, huh. The big, bad, Watson so sure of himself will find himself in prison soon. You better make sure that you never, ever, end up in JP prison. Have you heard, JP has a glut of whale meat no body wants to buy. They might serve it in prison, or God forbid in elementary school lunches to get rid of it.

-12 ( +13 / -25 )

Now he is now just another terrorist criminal on the run, he will be caught and face Justice for his actions against others. What a fool he has made of his followers.

-5 ( +16 / -21 )

"The crew accused the activists of trying to kill them,..."

That sounds pretty far fetched if you ask me. And because of that I wouldn't trust him getting a fair trial in Costa Rica either.

7 ( +15 / -8 )

A criminal like Paul Watson should never be released on bail or be granted a furlough if in prison. He's got a "catch me if you can" mentality. Most Japanese hate this bastard.

-8 ( +12 / -20 )

“This is not about me. It is about our oceans and the ever-escalating threat of diminishment of the diversity of life in our seas. It is about the sharks, the whales, the seals, the sea turtles and the fish,” he said.

No. We all know it's ALL about you. Everything is with you.

A criminal like Paul Watson should never be released on bail or be granted a furlough if in prison.

I agree. They should have locked him up.

-1 ( +15 / -16 )

Paul Watron is not a Criminal. Anyone that says that should get theirs HEADS out of their backsides.. All he and his group are trying to do is save the Innocent Wildlife from the Human poliferation that is destroying the World.

-1 ( +13 / -14 )

Watson escaped from Germany. He is really a criminal and an international wanted man. Wonder who wants to support him and SS?

-5 ( +12 / -17 )

too bad they can't target all assets that he owns or controls. stop the money and he has no where to run.

-5 ( +11 / -16 )

@AnimuX

Sea Shepherd is not a vigilante group or terror group. They don't hunt down and punish people. They don't threaten to harm or kill people. Instead, they commit acts of civil disobedience, vandalism, and sabotage in order to interfere with cruel and destructive exploitation of marine life

And risk the lives of his own crew and the crew of the other ships that he is out to harass. He is a menace to safe navigation and belongs in jail.

0 ( +16 / -16 )

This Canadian, who has put up for decades with his outrageous shenanigans (and demeaning behavior for those of us who care about our country), hope the Germans succeed.

-3 ( +12 / -15 )

AnimuX & canadianbento - Your treehugging agenda does not dictate whether a CRIMINAL's actions are criminal. The criminal's actions that break the law are what dictates whether he/she is a criminal. And don't forget that your twisted sense of "morality" has nothing to do with standing laws. It doesn't matter if you think killing whales is wrong, the whalers are acting within the law. The fact that you don't agree with the law or "loopholes" as you see it, doesn't change the fact that the whalers are acting within the law. If you feel that strongly about it, you need to work to change the laws to what you think they should be. The reason normal people have no respect for you or the idiot sheep that support the "Sea Shepherd", is because the "Sea Shepherd" is who is breaking the law. If I followed your car on the highway and threw glass botlles at you and tried to lock your wheels up with chains, would you expect the police to arrest me? Or I would I just be causing "civil disobedience"?

3 ( +17 / -14 )

If he skips bail now, he will never get bail again if he's caught.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Now he is now just another terrorist criminal on the run, he will be caught and face Justice for his actions against others.

Actually no. If he arrives in another country he is free. Interpol don't want him arrested so I wonder why Germany does...

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

And if anyone wants to know the facts about why he was arrested in the first place, watch Sharkwater the movie. Then you will realize how much of a farce this whole thing is.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

BoredToTears

The criminal's actions that break the law are what dictates whether he/she is a criminal.

So if a criminal didn't break any laws would they cease to exist?

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Lock him and all the other Sea Shepherd psychos up. Had enough of them pirating the ocean.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

I think everyone has their opinion of Paul Watson.

However, anyone can agree that it is wrong for a person to secretly run away from Germany. Watson should be honest and face the justice process.

fds,

It is a good point. There are international agreements to fight against the funding of criminals, I am amazed that such a criminal organization can operate. It is because of the double standards, obviously.

TrevorPeace,

Don't worry. I think most people who know the truth of Paul Watson do not see Canada in the bad light. The bad light shines on places such as Netherlands, Australia etc, and Germany in this case, for foolishly believing this eco-terrorist would be honest. Even German magazine "Bild" now calls Watson as eco-terrorist, so they are learning.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

However, anyone can agree that it is wrong for a person to secretly run away from Germany. Watson should be honest and face the justice process.

I think you mean the judicial process. There would be no justice served.

It is a good point. There are international agreements to fight against the funding of criminals, I am amazed that such a criminal organization can operate. It is because of the double standards, obviously.

No. It is because no other country respects the trumped up charges that he was arrested under. It's that simple.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

2020hindsight - You may have solved the problem! Your inablity to distinguish the difference between a criminal and law abiding citizen explains why you would support criminals and thier criminal actions. Once you understand that a criminal is somebody that breaks the law, you will hopefully understand that if you don't break the law you are not a criminal. Whether you agree with the law(s) has nothing to do with it.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

AnimuX

Of course, the news media has also failed to mention that Japan is one of the world's largest contributors of Official Development Assistance money to Costa Rica -- over $140 million USD from 2006-2010.

Congratulations to Japan. Supporting development in less fortunate nations is one of the responsibilities of peace-loving nation such as Japan.

Sea Shepherd and Paul Watson do not love peace, they love conflict, and harassment of peace-loving people.

You should be ashamed of yourself for supporting such, and you should stop propagation of self-righteous Sea Shepherd cult-like group's propaganda here.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

Fleeing from political persecution is both ethical and quite normal.

Seeking protection from such corrupt persecution is sometimes called seeking asylum.

Of course, Watson's extradition is a perfect example of political persecution -- Japan and Costa Rica are abusing international legal agreements in order to jail a foreign activist and legitimize the flouting of international conventions by imprisoning opposition -- all while ignoring the criminal organizations responsible for shark finning.

Shameful stuff really.

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

AnimuX,

Fleeing from political persecution is both ethical and quite normal.

AnimuX, Watson is arrested for attempted MURDER.

It is a serious crime.

It is not "political persecution".

No matter what you might believe, it is NEVER justified to take action that may kill someone else.

NEVER.

Please learn it.

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

Just like the coward Assange, Watson, having talked so tough, refuses to face the music when confronted by a civilised legal system.

What a guy.

3 ( +11 / -8 )

He had to pay bail of 250,000 Euros and then described the charges he faced as "a relatively minor offence"?

What planet is this guy on?

5 ( +10 / -5 )

2020hindsight - You may have solved the problem! Your inablity to distinguish the difference between a criminal and law abiding citizen explains why you would support criminals and thier criminal actions. Once you understand that a criminal is somebody that breaks the law, you will hopefully understand that if you don't break the law you are not a criminal. Whether you agree with the law(s) has nothing to do with it.

The criminal's actions that break the law are what dictates whether he/she is a criminal.

So how can you have a criminal that doesn't break laws?

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

ihope2eatwhales

AnimuX, Watson is arrested for attempted MURDER.

Actually that's not what he is arrested for. Check the facts.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Shows you how much money HE has made from whaling...he can afford to pay and then toss off $300,000 in bail money.

8 ( +15 / -7 )

Love the mess he's in. Better, love how his fans make him the victim. Flounder on, Paul!

1 ( +9 / -8 )

But, the charges against him are trumped up rubbish. I fear a greater power is pulling some strings (or pumping money) to get these charges through.

Now, for all you Paul Watson haters. I think you are directing your hate in the wrong direction. Your anger and hate should be directed at the groups that SS targets. The shark finners, illegal tuna fishers, and of course, the 'scientific' whalers. They are the real criminals.

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

Disillusioned,

Sea Shepherd are interested only in publicity and pursuing their own anti-capitalist, militant animal 'rights' agenda. Which is pretty ironic when you see that their 'Captain' can afford to walk away from $300K in bail money without a second thought. Pretty much the same as their hypocritical, self-righteous, over-funded bedfellows, PETA, whose 'ethics' don't extend as far as to apply to homo sapiens.

Shark finners, illegal tuna fishermen and whalers (who ARE, sorry to tell you, legally permitted to kill a small, sustainable number of whales) are all very minor environmental issues compared to the destruction of the rainforests and the environmental impact resulting from large scale food farming. SS can't be bothered with addressing real environmental issues though - they prefer to pursue a glamourous agenda where they have convinced themsleves that they hold the unassailable moral high ground.

"Save the cow" just isn't going to cut it when useful idiots will buy you your own ship and pay for a never-ending supply of fuel, though.

4 ( +12 / -8 )

billyshears,

Exactly - an end to whaling is the last thing that Sea Shepherd wants. In that case, people wouldn't keep funding their 12-month round-the-world holiday cruises, would they?

2 ( +10 / -8 )

So sad so many people have no idea what they are even saying here. He is not a criminal he and his group are trying to save a species of the earth. Let Them replenish and you can eat them again another day. If you keep killing them the species will die out and then what will u eat? There is a ban on catching whales by the UN so all countries Should abide by that. End of story! Let them regenerate then a quota system for catches and away you go again... Eating what u love. No more fighting'

-4 ( +8 / -12 )

I assumed he is a criminal, since it comes under JT's crime section. Not that I give a s*** about whales though.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

2020hindsightsJul. 26, 2012 - 09:44AM JST

Now he is now just another terrorist criminal on the run, he will be caught and face Justice for his actions against

others.

Actually no. If he arrives in another country he is free. Interpol don't want him arrested so I wonder why Germany does...

2020 My new brother-in-law lives and works in Germany for an international organization, when I asked him about Captain Watson's arrest there he told me that indeed the German government is just a pawn to other countries. If another country backs them up in say the IMF, then Germany will do something they other country asked whether it is legal, ethical or whatever. In fact he said that most Germans he knows can't believe their government got involved with something that absolutely has nothing to do with their country and is trivial compared to the EU crisis.

So yes there appears to be other governments pulling strings behind the scenes, why else would Germany bother with the request from a tiny third world country that INTERPOL decided was not worth any effort?

Captain Watson was right to leave, it is probably the only way to get a proper investigation into what actually happened.

Change always begins with one person and Captain Watson has the courage to be that person.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Since when are vandalism and sabotage not crimes? Watson is an example of another definition of a certain barnyard fowl excrement!

4 ( +10 / -6 )

So sad so many people have no idea what they are even saying here. He is not a criminal he and his group are trying to save a species of the earth.

Sometimes the messenger destroys the message (e.g. IRA, PLO, extreme, violent right-to-life groups etc.). That's why "so many people" do not like the tactics this guy has used. Hes doing his cause a disservice. In a way, hes actually forced the Japanese government to maintain whaling because they could not possibly be seen to lose face by capitulating to his group. Also, many see him as having financial ulterior motives for his actions.

The former member of Sea Shepherd and captain of the Ady Gil Pete Bethune described Watson as “morally bankrupt” who would order the intentional sinking of his own ships like the Ady Gil as a means to “garner sympathy with the public and to create better TV”

At an animal rights convention in 2002, Paul Watson was also quoted as saying, "There's nothing wrong with being a terrorist, as long as you win."

Greenpeace has called Watson a violent extremist and will no longer comment on his activities

2 ( +6 / -4 )

I'm surprised they didn't take his passport while he was on bail.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

frontandcenter - Sea Shepherd are interested only in publicity and pursuing their own anti-capitalist, militant animal 'rights' agenda. Which is pretty ironic when you see that their 'Captain' can afford to walk away from $300K in bail money without a second thought. Pretty much the same as their hypocritical, self-righteous, over-funded bedfellows, PETA, whose 'ethics' don't extend as far as to apply to homo sapiens.

What an outright load of cod's wallop! And the rest of your post is just rhetoric. Shark finning and illegal tuna fishing are insignificant? Really? You really need to get out from in front of your computer.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

I'm surprised they didn't take his passport while he was on bail.

They did. My guess is that within Europe there are not stringent checks at borders, so he can slip into another country quite easily.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Sometimes the messenger destroys the message (e.g. IRA, PLO, extreme, violent right-to-life groups etc.). That's why "so many people" do not like the tactics this guy has used. Hes doing his cause a disservice Easy - if they didn't catch Wales as the mandate says then these type of groups would not be necessary. Not that I am condoning them but they grow for a reason. Common sence to let the Wales re generate. Pride and face are Beside the point - to do the right thing is what counts and should give u pride and face!!!!!'nnney nipponjin

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

AnimuX & canadianbento - Your treehugging agenda does not dictate whether a CRIMINAL's actions are criminal. The criminal's actions that break the law are what dictates whether he/she is a criminal.

So you'd call Germans who sheltered Jewish people during WW2 "criminals"? Because that's what they were according to Nazi law.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Equador Embassy...and keep up the good fight!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

If Osama can't be caught & killed, where is Paul Watson going to hide? I despise these kind of Western people. One day he will be caught and extradited to Japan. He'll be fed whale meat in prison.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

m6bob So you advocate violating Captain Watson's human rights because he stood up to a greater power to protect helpless animals?

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

What's Japan's comment on all this, is my question. Why do they want him? Because he has pointed out how ridiculous their going through loopholes to kill whales no one wants to eat?

0 ( +6 / -6 )

If iconic figures like Martin Luther King Jr., or Gandhi had used violent methods such as Mr. Watson does, I'm sure they would be branded terrorists as well. There are a lot more nonviolent ways to get your message across. Mr. Watson doesn't do that and so he is a terrorist.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

You can go pretty far without a passport from Germany:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_zone

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Correct me if I'm wrong... it's possible to hate whaling and Paul Watson, right?

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Correct me if I'm wrong... it's possible to hate whaling and Paul Watson, right?

Exactly! I too hate whaling, but also hate Paul Watson's methods. Even the organization he used to belong to (Greenpeace) doesn't like him and has gone out of their way to make it clear that they don't support or believe in his violent methods to educate the public to stop whaling. He reminds me of the typical road rage driver who goes out of their way to ram cars that they thought were driving too dangerously.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

First if you ram a ship under flag of costa rica then yes they can lodge charges against you. And it Dosent matter what Watson has done to protect whales he is now a criminal on the run and anyone helping him can be put in prison right next to him. Now as to him ramming whaling ships we have all seem him do it on the discovery channel on tv. And in those waters where you will die in minutes if your ship goes down. That is attempted murder. And only the guilty run. And as soon as the arrest warrant is registered and presented to Interpol then any where Watson goes is required to arrest him and return him to Germany where he will do time for jumping bail and then cr and Jp can have him. Death to the ss and good riddance

1 ( +7 / -6 )

canadianbento, if Watson is not a criminal, he should have no fear standing trial. as much as I don't go into whale hunting, the law as written allows JP and other countries to carry out research (and harvest whale meat for consumption). that is the LAW. in the eyes of courts, the law is the law. what Watson and group is doing on the high seas is dangerous and will eventually get people killed.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

****The oceans would be dead if not for Paul Watson! People that don't stand by Paul are nothing short of environmental terrorists themselves. IT IS ALL ABOUT GREED!

What about all that money that Japan received for tsunami victims? The government gave millions of dollars to the whalers. Shame on them!

Just remember...... what befalls our oceans and wildlife will befall us.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

“We have reason to believe from a reliable source that, once in Costa Rica, the Japanese government may have sought extradition of Captain Watson to Japan to answer charges related to obstructing their illegal whaling activities,” she said.

First, get that tinfoil hat off; second, the whaling is not "illegal"; third, grow up.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Run you flea run, wanna act and behave like a terrosit pirate but can't handle the music when they come looking for you to pay for you actions - Eco Terrosit Flea.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

terrosit = terroist - and he is still a flea.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

ihope2eatwhales, "No matter what you might believe, it is NEVER justified to take action that may kill someone else. NEVER."

I'll be looking out for your reminder next time the whalers use LRAD against sea shepherds helicopter or throw bolts, or use flash grenades and oh yes, ram opponents shops in two.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Sometimes even their ships!!

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

SwissToni Thanks for the reminder. It appears that the double-standard rule is very much alive and well there in Japan. Many there want Captain Watson tried (and convicted) for his acts against the whaling fleet. As SwissToni just reminded us there is clear video of the whalers using LRAD against a helicopter in flight. This is a undeniable violation of the rules and regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (www.ICAO.int) of which Japan is a member.

OK you want Captain Watson tried for his "crimes", well I think those of us in aviation definitely want the captain and responsible crew-members of the whaling ship tried and convicted for their video recorded crime against an unarmed aircraft by a military grade weapon.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

@ Animux

First of all, Sea Shepherd is not a vigilante group or terror group. They don't hunt down and punish people. They don't threaten to harm or kill people.

Really ? two names ( amongst many more )

Rondney Coronado - Was on FBI most wanted list - firebombed animal labs. Was Watsons right hand man in Sea shepherd

Jerry Vlasak - Ex board member of Sea Shepherd. Advocated violence and assassination of people involved in vivisection. Was banned from entering the UK.

"

This entire fiasco is the political persecution of an ac

tivist who has done nothing more than attempt to uphold international conventions and prevent the unlawful

" Which laws and which conventions? you do realise that International conventions have no legal force if an objection is made - you do realise this or?

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Swiss Toni July 27, 2012- 04:58PM. And Frank Vaughn: 07.58PM. Thank you, for your comments, I'm sure the whaler's, can (not respond) to your comments, because you speak of (facts and truth)

-17 ( +0 / -17 )

"I love it", they still can "NOT" respond to Swiss Toni's point.

-17 ( +1 / -18 )

Back when Watson was first arrested in Germany, he went on and on about how his life would be at risk if he entered the Costa Rican judicial system. He spun whale tales of shark fin mafia hit men who would infiltrate his holding cell and assassinate him in cold blood. Now, he's suddenly saying that his biggest fear is extradition to Japan. Suspecting a route that would allow him to avoid the danger of a Costa Rican prison, which loomed so threateningly just a few months ago, he's made himself an international fugitive rather than being tried in a country where prison murder is virtually non-existent.

Do these sound like the behaviors of a highly suspicious and highly guilty man to anyone else?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Hahahaha. Watson is on the run and he has no passport. Any country can detain him and deport him. Unless Costa Rica has an extradition treaty with that country, then Watson will be held for extradition to Costa Rico.

Which country is going to give Watson a new passport after he "lost" his old one in a German jail? I doubt that Canada will issue him another. What country would grant citizenship to the leader of an eco-terrorist organization like the SS?

At least Germany gets to keep the 250,000 euros. It's not like it was Watson's money. I think his supporters like the idea that they helped a violent, lawbreaking criminal escape.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

SwissToni - I'll be looking out for your reminder next time the whalers use LRAD against sea shepherds helicopter or throw bolts, or use flash grenades and oh yes, ram opponents shops in two.

The eco-terrorist SS have a history of sinking, ramming, disabling, throwing red phosphorus flares, and launching glass bottles of acid at ships and crews they don't like. The eco-terrorist SS has NO legal authority to attack anyone anywhere. That's why Watson is wanted by the authorities in Costa Rico.

Every vessel attacked by the eco-terrorist SS has a right to defend themselves including the use of LRAD during an aerial attack. If the eco-terrorists object to vessels DEFENDING themselves, they they shouldn't be attacking them in the first place.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

You'll notice of course that the scuttlings caused no injury to people. The rammings, well the Sierra was a pirate whaler and had to put up a fight I suppose but again resulted in no death or personal injury. It was thankfully scuttled in the end and its sister ships too by the South African authorities. And the multiple contacts between Sea Shepherd and Japan's whalers, six of one and half a dozen of the other. Ramming and cutting in two a manned boat is certainly designed to cause injury and could well have killed the Ady Gills crew.

Bolts thrown at people are intended to injure and possibly kill. Bottles of butyric acid thrown onto the deck of a whaler are designed to spoil the whalers catch. LRAD aimed at a ship will cause nuisance and possibly nausea but will do no real harm. Aimed at a helicopter it could well bring it down.

In international waters where there is no authority or the local authorities are ignored, citizens of any nation have every right to protest.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

@ swiss toni

Trying to disable a ship by using prop foulers in the SO could very well end up killing crew particularly when doing it in or near ice fields. As for the heli - there are also rules for helicopters when flying near ships - in view of the violent nature of SS, the Japanese seamen are well withing there rights to defend their vessel. If the helicopter pilot feels that the LRAD is a danger to the helicopter then their is a simple answer - Keep out of the LRAD range this isn't rocket science.

In international waters where there is no authority or the local authorities are ignored, citizens of any nation have every right to protest.

They certainly do have the right of protest - attacking ships and causing damage however falls under piracy and not under protest. The ships crew have every right to defend themselves under such circumstances.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

SwissToni - In international waters where there is no authority or the local authorities are ignored, citizens of any nation have every right to protest.

The eco-terrorist SS have no legal authority to attack anyone anywhere. That's why Watson is on the run.

The crews of every vessel has a right to DEFEND themselves against attacks by eco-terrorists, even airborne attacks.

It will be interesting to see how Australia handles the fact that Watson no longer has a passport. Which country do you think the Aussies would deport Watson to, Costa Rica, Japan, Canada, or Germany?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@ arrest paul

It will be interesting to see how Australia handles the fact that Watson no longer has a passport. Which country do you think the Aussies would deport Watson to, Costa Rica, Japan, Canada, or Germany?

Here's some interesting comments from Hans-Georg Koch, an expert at the Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law in Freiburg, Germany

http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,16132294,00.html

Koch doesn't see the German government expending any energy on an international search, but emphasized that as long as the international extradition request stood, Watson could be picked up at any border. "He'd be the safest in his home country," Koch said. And if Watson was detected entering Germany, the whole process would start over from the beginning, he added.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Eyeonwarson, "They certainly do have the right of protest - attacking ships and causing damage however falls under piracy and not under protest."

Damaging ships and rendering whale meat inedible are acts of vandalism. Piracy is a very different issue and only your opinion. Had Sea Shepherd been suspected of that you can guarantee any piracy warrant issued by Japan would be honoured anywhere. Interesting that Japan, or any other nation impacted by Sea Shepherds protests have not issued any call for Watson to be tried for piracy.

"The ships crew have every right to defend themselves under such circumstances."

Of course they do. If attacked with deadly force any crew would be entitled to respond with the same. Sea Shepherd have demonstrated admirable restraint in the face of the weapons and force brought against them by the Japanese whalers. Prop fowlers and bottles of butyric acid have been clearly demonstrated as non lethal over the years of protest, whereas bolts, rammings and LRAD used against an aircraft are demonstrably lethal.

The Sea Shepherd crews know this and continue to volunteer. The whalers also know what to expect but continue to bellyache because theyve backed themselves into a morally bankrupt position and have no argument other than the not fit for purpose IWC charter.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

SwissToni - Of course they do. If attacked with deadly force any crew would be entitled to respond with the same. Sea Shepherd have demonstrated admirable restraint in the face of the weapons and force brought against them by the Japanese whalers. Prop fowlers and bottles of butyric acid have been clearly demonstrated as non lethal over the years of protest, whereas bolts, rammings and LRAD used against an aircraft are demonstrably lethal.

Watson is on the run because the eco-terrorist SS are a pro-violence organization who have repeatedly used acts of violence against unarmed vessels and crews. You object to any crew DEFENDING themselves against the eco-terrorist SS violence. While you're advocating for the eco-terrorist SS violence, Costa Rica, Germany, Canada, Japan, Norway, U.S., Spain, and many other countries will back up their objections to the eco-terrorist SS acts of violence by detaining Watson when he attempts to enter their countries without a passport.

Watson is running out of places to hide.

And you don't understand the IWC's charter.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@ swisstoni

Damaging ships and rendering whale meat inedible are acts of vandalism. Piracy is a very different issue and only your opinion.

Nope - Piracy

An illegal act of violence, depredation (e.g., plundering, robbing, or pillaging), or detention in or over international waters committed for private ends by the crew or passengers of a private ship or aircraft against another ship or aircraft or against persons or property on board such ship or aircraft. Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005

Fits the SS clowns perfectly

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Arrestpaul, neither do you, no one does. That's why The IWC is as dysfunctional as it is. The charter is so full of holes that it is impossible to enforce.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Eyeonwarson, the US department of defence doesn't dictate policy or the English language. If Sea Shepherd are pirates warrants for piracy could be issued by Norway and Spain as well as Japan, they haven't have they? so it would seem the main protagonists don't agree with your opinion.

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SwissToni - neither do you, no one does. That's why The IWC is as dysfunctional as it is. The charter is so full of holes that it is impossible to enforce.

The charter isn't full of holes. The International Whaling Commission has always been a "whaling" organization. Animal rights zealots infiltrated the IWC and have attempted to turn it into a "No Whaling" organization. The IWC is currently in a stalemate.

Watson skipped bail because he has repeatedly used violence to try to force others to do his bidding and doesn't believe that the laws of any nation applies to him or his eco-terrorists. Costa Rica is only one of many nations that have issued arrest warrants for Watson. Germany detained Watson at Costa Rica's request. Watson is a coward.

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Mostly a lot of bs Sea Shepard Captain and crew are standing up for what is right. If they wanted to endanger someones life they could easily obtain weapons or more leathal force could be used. Dont u think that is why they are using rotten potatoes and other stink bombs.... Illegal perhaps strictly speaking however Japanese should honour their committment to save the worlds species and not catch whales. The catch I believe is most sold as pet food - not consumed in Japan for the most part. Japan should withdraw. have a rest and see what happens. If the stocks of whales increase I am sure they will be able to catch them again. Same as shark finning what a cruel and wasteful action. For someones belief in increased sexual powers.... Mind boggling. Same again, if there is a limited quota set then fair enough but not excuses as for science and such as the Japanese have done so - it is just an obvious excuse to escape the ban on catching whales. That flagrant abuse creates tension to make Sea Shepard groups. It emboldens them to even brake the law if they feel they have to to protect the species..... sad. Very sad.

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Carrilu TietzJul. 27, 2012 - 07:23AM JST

****The oceans would be dead if not for Paul Watson! People that don't stand by Paul are nothing short of environmental terrorists themselves. IT IS ALL ABOUT GREED!

What about all that money that Japan received for tsunami victims? The government gave millions of dollars to the whalers. Shame on them!

Just remember...... what befalls our oceans and wildlife will befall us.

exactly - why others cannot see that? national pride? Greed? Why?????? Resources are not endless...

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