Interpol issues arrest notice for Sea Shepherd founder Watson

Ronald F StarkAug. 09, 2012 - 06:44AM JST "seeing conspiracies where there are none."

Costa Rica receives millions in aid for parks and recreation areas from Japan. Costa Rica files for extradition of >Watson from Germany shortly thereafter. Japan jumps in and requests extradition of Watson to Japan (openly >admitted by the Japanese). Japan is famous for buying what it wants! Need votes to kill whales? Pay landlocked >countries who've never seen a whale to join the IWC and vote for you (again, common knowledge). Conspiracies are >things done in secret. Japan has never been very good at hiding its corrupt dealings.

Both Costa Rica and Germany are avid Anti-whaling countries that have voted against Japan for decades. Yet they are "pawns" for Japan? Watson's excuses are redefining the term "lame":

Good luck with the red notice Japan! I'm sure the next time you see Watson he'll be hurling stink bombs at your >commercial whaling fleet again!

I doubt that very much. With the Intrerpol Red Notice the fat lying coward eco-terrorist fugitive can now be arrested in 190 countrries.

Yes, I did say COMMERCIAL WHALING. Nobody buys the "research" BS!

It really doesn't matter if it's BS or not as long as it complies with IWC Article VIII and is therefore legal. For that matter whether some people who can't read think it's "BS" or "illegal" doesn't make muich difference either.

Really dumb move by Watson to skip bail in Germany. Next time he gets arrested he will have no bail and now he can't go to Interpol member countries. Buwhaahaha. Watson dug his own grave on this one!

Running from an unjust trial in Japan, dont blame him the bigots in this country already have him, tried and executed if they got their hands on him.

Costa Rica. He is wanted by Interpol in Costa Rica. Is it so difficult to understand '“Following confirmation from German authorities that Paul Watson had failed to satisfy the bail conditions established by the German courts and had fled the country, Costa Rican authorities renewed their request… to issue a Red Notice seeking his detention or arrest with a view to extradition,” Interpol said in a statement posted on its website.'

It's a membership based organization with the same legal status as your local neighborhood bowling club

And yet, if my bowling club asks Germany to arrest someone, I don't think the result would be the same.

Interpol does not issue arrest notices for "warriors" they issue them for "terrorists".

From a Blue Notice to a Red Notice. Interpol is just a crime database which members have access to.

NeverSubmitAug. 09, 2012 - 05:39AM JST Interpol has no jurisdiction for any person or area. It has no powers of arrest and has no legal authority to enforce any >law. It's a membership based organization with the same legal status as your local neighborhood bowling club.

But Watson can now be arrested in all 190 member countries.

To all those who donated to SS: how much of your donation went into securing bail for Mr Watson? Germany is very grateful for your donation to its country.

seeing conspiracies where there are none.

Costa Rica receives millions in aid for parks and recreation areas from Japan. Costa Rica files for extradition of Watson from Germany shortly thereafter. Japan jumps in and requests extradition of Watson to Japan (openly admitted by the Japanese). Japan is famous for buying what it wants! Need votes to kill whales? Pay landlocked countries who've never seen a whale to join the IWC and vote for you (again, common knowledge). Conspiracies are things done in secret. Japan has never been very good at hiding its corrupt dealings.

Good luck with the red notice Japan! I'm sure the next time you see Watson he'll be hurling stink bombs at your commercial whaling fleet again!

Yes, I did say COMMERCIAL WHALING. Nobody buys the "research" BS!

We’ve cost them millions of dollars

Payback time. Lock this guy up and squeeze as much cash from their phony organization and buy some new whaling gear.

It is time to leave this Man alone.. He is doing exactly what most common sense Humans want. It is time to arrest the people that are destroying this wonderful planet called Earth.

I am glad that "most common sense" humans like me don't think this way. If we allow terrorists to rule the earth everyone will suffer.

There are other avenues to approach this issue for him, but he chooses the most combative and dangerous path, just like a terrorist, which he is.

Wonder what happens if he enters the USA.

There is still the pending lawsuit by Peter Bethune for unpaid $500.000 for the Ady Gil.

He's on the run from Costa Rica. Or are we now to believe that Interpol are also pawns in Japan's game?

Watson said Costa Rica and Germany had been “pawns in the Japanese quest to silence Sea Shepherd”

says a lot about the guy's mental state, seeing conspiracies where there are none.

Ronald F Stark

Yes, I did say COMMERCIAL WHALING. Nobody buys the "research" BS!

Go to the IWC web page and get informed. Japan, and every other member of the IWC is allowed to conduct scientific research whaling under special permit. This allowance is given by the ICRW treaty, which every member of the IWC signed. Japan has never hid the fact that their main goal for their research is a sustainable resumption of commercial whaling.

I live in Japan and I've notice that, for some reason, people here take sea Shepard actions personally. Why? If my countries government were undertaking a controversial programme which many other countries disagreed with, I would be asking, why continue? We don't need this. What's the point? Misdirected pride? Power tripping?

Japanese may appear to take things personally because of the culture of us vs them, they see criticisms of anything about Japan made by foreigners as a statement against them all.

I've experienced this on so many different occasions regarding so many different topics that I have learned to codify any statements and try to refrain from generalizing because people here don't like it when someone not Japanese says anything, even minor stuff, that makes "them" look bad. It's inbred.

letsberealistic - I agree that the Andy Gil was taking a dangerous rick by participating in the harassment of the whalers. But did the Japanese have to deliberately aim the ship at the gil? That was extreme behaviour. Much more extreme than anything the Sea Shepard's have done.

Video shows that the Ady Gill accelerated into the path of the SM. The eco-terrorists destroyed their own toy boat. Then they abandonded the hulk where another vessel could collide with it. Both were brilliantly stupid manoeuvres by the incompetent eco-terrorist SS.

gelendestrasseAug. 10, 2012 - 01:26AM JST I'm starting to wonder whose PR stunt this is? I have no idea what good arresting Watson will do, except maybe chew >up a lot of his money on defense lawyers. In the meantime it makes him a martyr for the cause and is giving him free >publicity and more donations

Totally disagree, If Watson had not jumped bail, agreed to fight the charges in Costa Rica, agreed to fight the charges in Japan, and if found guilty and spent any time in Jail as a crsult - THEN he would be a Martyr. But he chose to be a coward and an international fugutive instead. So much for the donations.

letsberealisticAug. 10, 2012 - 12:01AM JST OssanAmerica Paul Watson is not exactly a member of Al Kaida. He has not killed, or does he want to kill anyone. If you watch the >Whale Wars videos (yes I know it's just TV but the producers do not fully support either side, just reporting),

Watson is an eco-terrorist. He has admitted to this by proclaiming that " he has a right to conduct eco-terrorism". Eco-Terrorism is a crime. Al Qaida have nothing to do with this discussion.

you will see that the ONLY people EVER in danger is the Sea Shepherds themselves. They willing put there own >lives in danger for their believes. They have no intention of hurting anyone that's pretty clear.

I understand that is the result of sheer incompetence on he pat of the Sea Shepherd crew.

How are any members of Japanese whalers lives ever in danger?? Being hit on the head with a little bottle of rotten >butter?

Attempting to disable a ship in Antarctic Waters endangers the lives and safety of the crew of the ship. This is called common sense.

letsberealistic, interesting that you think that throwing glass bottles at people's heads isn't dangerous. I think that most reasonable people would think that's not the case. I'd imagine that if you took any 12 men or women from most countries they'd find otherwise.

So you think that the Japanese are bribing Interpol to push for the arrest of someone on Costa Rica's watchlist.

In other words, you're questioning the integrity of Interpol.

Okaaay, so, now you are suggesting the Sea Shepherd do what they do for money?

Is the Pope catholic? Obviously yes. If Watson is serious about saving whales, he would do that. Instead he focuses on people and not whales. Japanese people t be more exact. If he was concerned about whales he would save the endangered ones instead of attacking Japanese whalers hunting non endangered whales. Watson, why do you keep ignoring the Right Whales??? He hates whalers more than he loves whales. Besides, I highly doubt he would generate as much cash if he wanted to save the Right Whales.

SS supporters. Read about the Right Whales.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_whale#North_Atlantic_right_whale

What interests me about this case is the ease with which Watson skipped bail and left Germany.

Almost as if the G-cops (to coin a phrase), and the German judiciary felt they had more important things to worry about....

They probably did. Despite some people wanting this to be a global conspiracy and a dramatic story about one lone crusader against the evil secret Japanese whale hunting new world order, when all is said and done...

...This was nothing more than a simple extradition request for a known criminal between allied countries. Happens every day.

Costa Rica receives millions in aid for parks and recreation areas from Japan.

Here. Read this part again. Watson was arrested in May in Frankfurt on a warrant from Costa Rica, where he is wanted on charges stemming from a high-seas confrontation over shark finning in 2002.

Yes, I did say COMMERCIAL WHALING. Nobody buys the "research" BS!

Put it in caps lock if you like, Japan makes no secret of the fact that it is aiming for the resumption of commercial whaling. The below is from the Embassy of Japan in Australia website.

Q1. What is the view of the Japanese Government on the conservation of whales?

Answer:

There are more than 80 species of whales or cetaceans in the world. While some species are endangered, others are overabundant. The Japanese Government strongly supports the protection of endangered species such as Blue Whales and Bowhead Whales.

On the other hand, we consider that sustainable use of some whale species should be allowed like other living marine resources that are useful for humans such as fish and shellfish, if best scientific evidence shows that those species are not endangered.

Although we understand many people do not want to consider whales as marine resources or food, we believe each society should respect the cultures of others, keeping in mind the fact that different eating habits and food cultures have developed throughout history in the divergent environments among different countries.

YuriOtaniAug. 09, 2012 - 08:58AM JST There are a few non members in the Pacific. Oh wait "Each of INTERPOL’s 190 member countries must apply their >national laws and standards in determining whether it may detain or arrest the wanted person." >http://www.interpol.int/News-and-media/News-media-releases/2012/N20120807Bis

Nothing new about this. This is the principle of comity where a where both jurisadictions must have similar laws concerning the charges. For example if I hurt a cow in India and an arrest warrant is issed there, and I return to the US, the Indian govt's request to extradite me isn;t going to work because it's not a crime to hurt a cow here. What you've highlighted isnt going to have any bearing on Watson because the charges involve "causing a danger of drowning or of an air disaster’ , a crime everywhere. Hence Germany arrested him. The same applies to the 190 Interpol member countries

“Today’s elevation of the attack against our organization and our founder, Captain Watson, is not unexpected,”

Yeah, weird, it's almost as if law enforcement doesn't actually stop just because the bad guy got away. Who'da thunk it?

“We’ve cost them millions of dollars and exposed their shame to the world..."

Yeah, see, causing companies millions of dollars in damages and spreading slander and libel about them are considered crimes in pretty much every country in the world. Kind of like attacking ships at sea.

"Watson accused Japan of conspiring with Germany and Costa Rica to hunt him down in revenge for his attacks..."

"Conspiring", in the sense of doing everything transparently, announcing it to the media, and following the same procedures they follow for any extradition of any criminal of interest in a foreign country?

Setting the bar kinda low for conspiracies...

letsberealistic - ramming a fishing boat in open sea, endangering the lives of the people on board, before cutting free your nets and running from the Guatemalan Coast Guard vessel that then tried to aprehend them as they fled is no more justifiable to stop shark finning, than it is for campaigning for a cure for aids, or taking donations fro the girl scouts.

YubaruAug. 09, 2012 - 01:59PM JST "I live in Japan and I've notice that, for some reason, people here take sea Shepard actions personally. Why? If my countries government were undertaking a controversial programme which many other countries disagreed with, I would be asking, why continue? We don't need this. What's the point? Misdirected pride? Power tripping?" Japanese may appear to take things personally because of the culture of us vs them, they see criticisms of anything >about Japan made by foreigners as a statement against them all.

I've experienced this on so many different occasions regarding so many different topics that I have learned to codify >any statements and try to refrain from generalizing because people here don't like it when someone not Japanese >says anything, even minor stuff, that makes "them" look bad. It's inbred.

It's CULTURALLY inbred. Japanese are nearly always polite to me when they are nice to me and they are polite to me when they're really telling me to go take a hike. Probably comes from the thousand years ofa caste system where failure to be polite might cost you your life depending on what status family you happened to be born into. Watson's open aggression, besides the aggression itself is vulgar and "uncivilized".

Thunderbird2Aug. 09, 2012 - 06:23PM JST Would those who describe Watson as a terrorist also describe rioting students as terrorists? I'm not on the side of >rioters and wrong-doers, but I think some perspective is needed. Terrorists bring down planes, bomb tube stations, buildings and the like. They kill people without conscience. They iduce terror. Watson is an environmental extremist at worst... not a terrorist.

Watson is an eco-terrorist. There is a specific definition for that. Watsin himself has now openly admitted to being an eco-terrorist by proclaiming that " he has right to conduct eco-terrorsm". So this old and played argument is history at this point.

Get him soon !!!

Frank VaughnAug. 09, 2012 - 03:04PM JST I have a question: Costa Rico has specified their charges against Captain Watson, but so far all I have read is that >Japan wants him for "illegal activities". Come on what are the specific "illegal activities? Please I know what all of you> think they are, but has the Japanese government published an actual list of charges that can be accessed?

Dont know, But they were made public at the time of the Peter Bethune trial. Of course Watson is now blaming Bethune saying that he sold him out to Japan.

I would also like to add that since this is becoming such an international incident that it needs to be placed into a court >in as neutral a country as possible for trial and yes Captain Watson needs to face the charges. But again some place >neutral so there is a fair hearing and or trial.

Where are you going to find a country that is neutral about "causing a danger of drowning or of an air disaster"?

YuriOtaniAug. 09, 2012 - 11:17PM JST eco-terrorist, what an interesting concept. Paul is being hunted for trying to keep the ecosystem from being wrecked.

Wrong. Watson is being hunted for breaching his bail terms and failing to answer the charge of endangereing human lives.

I agree that the Andy Gil was taking a dangerous rick by participating in the harassment of the whalers. But did the Japanese have to deliberately aim the ship at the gil? That was extreme behaviour. Much more extreme than anything the Sea Shepard's have done.

An inquiry by Maritime New Zealand came to the following conclusion regarding the incident:

"Rather, the collision appears to have resulted from a failure on the part of both masters, and the crew of both vessels, to appreciate and react appropriately to the potential for a collision."

There's really not much more to say about that incident.

letsberealistic - Japanese ships have done far more dangerous rammings than Sea Shephard - they cut a 4-man cateran in half sinking it and nearly killing those on board. Sea Shephard have never gond THAT far.

I see that the violent history of the eco-terrorist SS is not your strong suit. The eco-terroorist SS brag that they have sunk ten (10) vessels. The ships names are painted on the eco-terrorists superstructure. Maybe you missed that?

@ letsberealistic

not some distant acquittance or colleague of Paul Watson.

Which part of Watson's right hand man did you have trouble comprehending regarding Coronado? According to Watson, it was him and coronado that sank the whaling ships in Iceland - at least, that was until he was arrested in Iceland and then he denied all knowledge - par for Watson of course.

In addition, Vlasek was a DIRECTOR OF SEA SHEPHERD and also their treasurer - a distant aquaintance?

Biggest LOL I've had all night

YuriOtaniAug. 10, 2012 - 01:19AM JST OssanAmerica, he was arrested on a bogus charge was Costa Rica.

How do you know it eas ":bogus"? Because Watson says so? The only way to know would be to face the charges and fight them in couret, But the fat lying coward didn't have the testicular fortitude to answer Costa Rica's charges, And YOU believe him? Even Peter Bethune calls him a liar, a guy who went to Jail in Japan for Watson.

The criminal complaint was bought and paid for by Japan.

Says who? Paul Watson? And YOU Believe him? There exists no evidence to substantiate that claim.

He was headed to a phoney trial in Japan and straight to Japanese jail for a long time. A place where they give >mothers who kill their children less time than people in auto accidents.

A phoney trial? What's a phoney trial? How do you know it;s phoney? Because Watson says so? And YOU believe him? Listen- Watson is nothing but a fat coward- the charges against him in Japan are nothing. They are identical to the charges brought against Peter Bethune and he certainly wasn't "put away for life" now was he?

I like the charge "endangereing human lives" since the whaling fleet people need to be charged.

With what? They aren't endangering human lives like Sea Shepherd is.

I like watching TV and seeing the whalers pelt small boats with bolts, nails, hooks, etc. They are out to hurt or kill the >protestors, Then there is the sonic weapon directed at the Shepherd's helicopter trying to make it crash. Then add the >ramming attack on their boat. So the whalers are returning non-lethal attacks with lethal force attacks. Point out too >that the people attacking are pure civilians. They should return the Shepherd's attacks in kins, by pouring rancid butter >on them, etc. Their boats are not in danger of being hijacked only made stinky and perhaps disabled for a bit. The >whalers are never in any danger.

Your're a sick puppy. My condolences. I never like watching illergal unauthorized violence conducted by a sel-appointed vigilante group with no authority or jurisdiction whatoever. It rubs me the wrong way as a person who belives in law and due process to setttle differences. Perhaps when someone throws a bottle through your window because they "don't like you - for whatever reason" you will understand. Supporting lawlessness is simply stupid because anyone can become a victim of it.

If you watch the TV series and how Sea Shepard and Paul Watson operate you might have a different opinion. Do some research instead of just spouting sensationalist over-exaggerations.

Oh, please if you get your info from that idiotic TV show, may I suggest you actually do some research on whales. Sea Shepherd and Watson is nothing but sensationalist over exaggerations mixed with lies.

“Japan is driving this effort in retaliation for our successful campaigns to stop them from whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary,” she said.

If you call having two vessels sunk and being considered a terrorist/pirate group successful... If Japan really wanted to they could have them shot next time they try to board a Japanese vessel, but so far they have played nice and only seek to end the terrorist campaign through legal methods.

If they really wanted to be successful, they could just use that money they blow on sunken ships and put it into an ad campaign to make whale meat not profitable, which ends the need for whaling entirely.

Chris CatalanoAug. 09, 2012 - 09:21AM JST Watson has always been disliked by many here in B.C. for his rashness and arrogance, BUT, even though his tactics >seem brutish, underneath the bully exterior is someone who has been aware of, and willing to go out on a plank to >bring to light some very serious issues having to do primarily with the gutting, exploiting, and polluting of the world's >oceans by those who would know no limits if they disn't face a little hot-headed opposition now and then. A lot of >supposed "Eco-terrorists" are similarly brash, single-minded and annoying, but the term itself is a bit of an oxymoron. >And sometimes you have to fight fire with fire.

"The FBI defines eco-terrorism as the use or threatened use of violence of a criminal nature against innocent victims or property by an environmentally-oriented, subnational group for environmental-political reasons, or aimed at an audience beyond the target, often of a symbolic nature." http://www.fbi.gov/news/testimony/the-threat-of-eco-terrorism/

This is all, quite frankly, somewhat ridiculous.

Watson and the word "terrorist" are like the heads and tails of a coin. They're inseparable.

Terry TibbsAug. 09, 2012 - 10:07PM JST Yubaru , Japan have already come out and openly stated that they sought the extradition of Watson after consulting >Germany so he had good reason to fear it.. Don't like Watson at all but I don't like the way countries can extradite >people from other countries do easily either

Its not easy at all. There has to be an oustanding warrant to start with, and that warrant including the charges must be reviewed and accepted by the other country in order to issue a valid warrant there. While an extradition treaty facililtates this process often it still takes alot of time and resources.

The Andy Gil ship was not moving because it had no power (have you seen the videos?!?) The Japanese rammed a much smaller vessel that was not moving. Please check the video.

I've seen the video. So have a lot of other people. Here's a comment by an astute viewer that pretty much sums up the video:

And you can clearly see the prop wash from the Ady Gil increase from idle (almost imperceptible) to ahead speed (white foam) just as the bow of the Maru approached them. If they hadn't had done that then they wouldn't have been hit. Like I said, both were held at fault for the collision. The Maru for being so close and the Gil for crossing the path of an approaching ship. The Gil was there to harass and cause problems to the whalers and that's what they did until they forgot that fifty tons of steel will always win over 3 tons of carbon fiber and fiberglass. There was some speculation at the time by others that the Ady was near the end of her operational cycle due to cracks in her framing and so on and that the repairs were going to cost more than what the ship was originally built for and that's why they took so many risks with her. She was expendable.

letsberealistic - Sure, he's very unorthodox and takes some truly silly risks, but look at all the "silly" risk-takers in history who accomplished great things but were hated by the ignorant majority. Socrates was thought evil, Isaac Newton was crazy, Robin Hood was thought a greedy criminal and the list goes on. Maybe, he is a bit crazy, or maybe has just a man with a passion to save something he loves with all his heart.

Robin Hood? Anyway, what you call "unorthodox" many nations call illegal acts of violence. Watson has no legal authority to ram, sink, attack, disable, or seize any other vessel. Watson repeatedly uses violence to force others to do his bidding. Every vessel that Watson attacks has a right to DEFEND themselves against the violence of the eco-terrorist SS. There are warrants out for Watson's arrest because of his repeated acts of violence. You're promoting violence with your support of the eco-terrorist SS.

letsberealistic - Paul Watson is not exactly a member of Al Kaida. He has not killed, or does he want to kill anyone. If you watch the Whale Wars videos (yes I know it's just TV but the producers do not fully support either side, just reporting), you will see that the ONLY people EVER in danger is the Sea Shepherds themselves. They willing put there own lives in danger for their believes. They have no intention of hurting anyone that's pretty clear.

How are any members of Japanese whalers lives ever in danger?? Being hit on the head with a little bottle of rotten butter?

Hahahaha. The pro-violence Animal Planet is not "reporting" on the skirmishes between the eco-terrorist SS and the whaling crews. Wail Wars is a commercial product that is heavily edited by the eco-terrorist SS supporters to push the Animal Planets and ecot-terrorist SS agenda of violence.

The eco-terrorist SS are launching glass bottles of buteric acid at the whaling crews, not "little bottles of rotten butter". The eco-terrorists are also using green lazers to blind the whaling crews, throwing red phosphorus flares at the whaling crews, attempting to disable vessels in the extremely dangerous waters of the antarctic, and ramming the whaling vessels in an attempt to sink them. You support violence when you support the eco-terrorist SS.

Even Greenpeace rejects the repeated acts of violence by Watson and his eco-terrorist SS. Violence is not the answer.

YuriOtaniAug - .....he was arrested on a bogus charge was Costa Rica. The criminal complaint was bought and paid for by Japan. He was headed to a phoney trial in Japan and straight to Japanese jail for a long time.

The coward Watson only has to appear in court to prove that his "version" of events are true. Watson know that he had NO LEGAL AUTHORITY to attack or detain Costa Rican vessels or to attack any vessels in Guatamalian waters. The coward Watson fled (once again) when his imaginary authority was challenged.

@ yuriotani

arrestpaul, Japan made a deal with Germany to send him directly to Japan. Think all of that bailout money for the European Union. It is not being a "coward" to flee from an unjust legal process. About his "authority" it is just as good as any private citizen.

No deal is / was made. Japan presented evidence to Germany and asked for extradition based on that evidence. Nothing more, nothing less, this is how extradition works. If Germany thought the evidence was enough to justify extraditing Watson, they would have - if they didn't, they would have refused the extradition. Any suggestions of a " Deal" is simply yet another conspiracy theory. What deal? Japan will buy a few million Volkwagens? Oh pulease...

eyeonwarsonAug. 09, 2012 - 11:41PM JST From the German magazine Spiegel Am Montag erschien der gebürtige Kanadier mit amerikanischem Pass nicht, wie er sollte, auf der Wache. ;o)

OK so the Germans are holding his U.S. Passport thanks

YuriOtani - A rope attack on their prop is one thing but attacking the aircraft ie its pilot can get people killed. I have seen nothing to suggest that the Shepard's ever did more than make pests out of themselves. True terrorism would involve real attacks that would sink the Whaling ships at sea. The ships they sunk were in port and they opened the ships sea cocks. They settled to the bottom of their berth filled with water. That is call vandalism not terrorism.

That is called eco-terroism.

Ramming ships can result in both ships sinking. What you call "pests", I call incompetent, violent, morons. The eco-terrorist SS has repeatedly used their helicopter to aid their their violent attacks on other vessels. No one with any common sense is going to allow an eco-terrorist aircraft to fly over or near their vessel.

letsberealistic - Come on, what acts of violence has he committed that are as bad as you make out? If you watch the TV series and how Sea Shepard and Paul Watson operate you might have a different opinion. Do some research instead of just spouting sensationalist over-exaggerations.

I have done the research and Watson has used violence for DECADES. Even before he joined Greenpeace. Greenpeace realized that they made a mistake when they let a violent and disturbed person like Watson into their organization. Greenpeace expelled the pro-violence Watson by a vote of 11-1. Only Watson thought Watson should stay. Watson then created the eco-terrorist SS to be comprised of naive stooges who don't mind attacking other crews and sinking ships when Watson orders them to. Don't think - just do.

Do you actually expect anyone ot believe that sinking 10 ships "isn't that bad"?

The Animal Planet network promotes Watson's eco-terrorist SS violence.

A nation received a request from another nation. They are within their rights to investigate that and they seemed to find enough evidence to suggest that Costa Rica's original petition had some grounds. Why is that odd?

I think someone needs to start a de-brainwashing program for Sea Shepherd Supporters.They show all the characteristics of people who follow cults, repeating nonsensical standardized arguments, failing to display the slightest sign of an independent thought process, parrotting the Sea Shepherd Website and Watson's statements as if it were gospel, unquestioningly.

What interests me about this case is the ease with which Watson skipped bail and left Germany.

Almost as if the G-cops (to coin a phrase), and the German judiciary felt they had more important things to worry about....

letsberealisticAug. 10, 2012 - 12:45PM JST I can agree that Sea Shepherd could focus more on other, less aggressive tactics to protect whales from unnecessary >slaughter, but SS tactics aside, can I ask anti-ss folks on this thread; Do you believe Japan should continue whaling in the South Pacific? Is it really worthwhile?

That's not the issue, the article is on Watson's legal situation. And he didn't become an international fugitive because he's a "protester" or "anti-whaling".

letsberealisticAug. 11, 2012 - 02:12AM JST Okaaay, so, now you are suggesting the Sea Shepherd do what they do for money?

They put it to real good conservation use. Like donating it to the German judicial system.

Round 2!

In a statement last week, Watson accused Japan of conspiring with Germany and Costa Rica to hunt him down in revenge for his attacks on its whaling operations.

if so, at least its within the bounds of the law. can't say what sea shepherd does is. if it was, there would be no need for arrest warrants.

There are a few non members in the Pacific. Oh wait "Each of INTERPOL’s 190 member countries must apply their national laws and standards in determining whether it may detain or arrest the wanted person." http://www.interpol.int/News-and-media/News-media-releases/2012/N20120807Bis

Alright, let's catch this scumbag. This is long overdue.

Oz_MonsterAug. 09, 2012 - 10:48AM JST Japan has simply found a common ally.

LOL. Interpol issued the Red Notice on the request of Costa Rica based on "additional information provided by Costa Rica concerning the underlying charges".

Japan is a huge investor and financial partner for Costa Rica, it would only take one phone call from the MOFA and >Costa Rican authorities could hardly refuse to act.

But Japan couldn't make one call and get Costa Rica tro stop being an Anti-Whaling nation and voting against them all these years? This isn't a conspiracy, it's how the legal process works when there's an arrest warrant out for you.

Watson doesn't have the balls to face the music. He placed lots of sailors in danger.

“Following confirmation from German authorities that Paul Watson had failed to satisfy the bail conditions established by the German courts and had fled the country, Costa Rican authorities renewed their request… to issue a Red Notice seeking his detention or arrest with a view to extradition,” Interpol said in a statement posted on its website.

“Based on Mr Watson’s failure to satisfy the bail conditions set by the German court, and the additional information provided by Costa Rica concerning the underlying charges, it was concluded that a Red Notice could be issued,” it said.

Costa Rica is just as serious about punishing Watson's act of violence as Canada, Spain, Norewign, Russia, Japan, and the rest are. Watson can make up any lies he wants to about the rest the world being involved in one big, massed conspiracy against him but it is Watson and the eco-terrorist SS repeated acts of violence that are the cause for the arrest warrants and red notice. Watson caused Watson's current problems.

But he's too much of a coward to face his accusers in court. He knows his fans prefers that he hide in the shadows and babble about grand conspiracies. Now THAT'S entertainment.

Whale meat is already not profitable. It's only tax money that keeps it going. No matter how many donations they get and how much money they save on ships, no private organisation is ever going to have as much money to throw at the problem as the Japanese government does.

Why was this comment by Cleo downvoted to oblivion? It's true, regardless of your position on whaling.

Thunderbird2

Watson is an environmental extremist at worst... not a terrorist.

If their activities have the potential to cause unlawful death and/or destruction, then they are terrorists. Launching objects at individuals on boats, ramming boats, pulling up in front of moving boats, boarding moving boats illegally etc, all of these thing have the potential for dire effects, and not just to the targets, but the terrorists themselves as well.

If rioting students throw an object and someone is killed, they are no longer "just rioting students." You know this, I know this, and Paul Watson knows this. His bail jumping escapade is just an admission of guilt. Essentially he is saying that he has no regard for the laws of any country, whether it be Japan, Costa Rica or Germany.

That is to say, he is a terrorist.

eyeonwarsonAug. 09, 2012 - 10:18PM JST Interesting : http://www.interpol.int/Wanted-Persons/(wanted_id)/2012-306798 Dual Nationality - so seeing as he left his american passport in Germany, he's possibly travelling around on his >Canadian one if he has one. If he doesn't, entering an ISPS port would be a tad problematic :O)

I haven't seen any mention of which passport is currently held by the Germans. I presumed it would be the one with which he entered Germany but I haven't seen any reference as to which one.

@ letsberealistic

Do some research instead of just spouting sensationalist over-exaggerations. They are not calculating, mindless professionally thugs. Just a group of pretty ordinary people. Watch Whale Wars.

Indeed, do some research - look up Rodney Coronado - Watsons ex - right hand man - was on the FBI's most wanted list and served time for fire bombing animal labs.

Look up Jerry Vlasek, ex director of Sea Shepherd who advocated assasination of animal lab scientists ... Quote

I think there is a use for violence in our movement. And I think it can be an effective strategy. Not only is it morally acceptable, I think that there are places where it could be used quite effectively from a pragmatic standpoint. For instance, if vivisectors were routinely being killed, I think it would give other vivisectors pause in what they were doing in their work — and if these vivisectors were being targeted for assassination ... — and I wouldn't pick some guy way down the totem pole, but if there were prominent vivisectors being assassinated, I think that there would be a trickle-down effect and many, many people who are lower on that totem pole would say, "I'm not going to get into this business because it's a very dangerous business ...

Just a group of ordinary people huh? These are the kind guys Watson associated with - the sooner he faces the charges against him the better - if it's all BS as the sea shepherd goons claim then he has nothing to fear.

letsberealistic - I am aware that the Sea Shepherd and Paul Watson have been involved in the sinking of a few whaling vessels in the past (1980-90's). But we are talking about 2012 now and SS are clearly not wanting to sink any ships or hurt anyone (though the individual members end up hurting themselves a lot just out of their own inexperience).

If you watch Whale Wars you will see there primary objective is always to find and block the Nishin Maru's loading bay. It's a peaceful tactic that clearly works.

Hahahaha. I love that "clearly not wanting to sink any ships" statement. You're a hoot. Watson is on the run because of his use of violence and you believe that ramming another vessel shows Watson's peaceful intentions. hehehe. That's a good one.

The pro-violence Animal Planet lets the eco-terrorist SS edit the Wail Wars program to show those loveable eco-terrorist stumble thru their feeble attempts to disable and sink other vessels. What a fun show. Eco-terrorism for fun and profit.

The Animal Planet network promotes violence as a means to an end.

"The ships they sunk were in port and they opened the ships sea cocks. They settled to the bottom of their berth filled with water."

Yuri, were those shipped drained of all fuels and had all other toxins (in paints etc.) been removed, the way it is before old ships are scuttled to make artificial reefs? Or were these 10 toxic, fuel-laden vessels dropped to the seabed as is, in the name of "protecting the environment"?

Seriously? Does that sound right?

Cletus - Im not answering for Yuri. But l must say

the only thing l object to is the Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean.

To me that is the only objectionable thing here. And if they where not their then they would not need to defend themselves from your little eco terrorists..... Problem solved.

If the "only" thing you object to is Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean then you must support the eco-terrorist SS repeated use of violence. You certainly don't object to it. Violence is the answer.

And the cowardly Watson is still on the run.

People need to remember this is a Costa Rica vs Paul Watson issue.

Nothing to do with japanese whaling, they just want him as does the US for pending trials. There is a queue of countries where he faces lawsuits.

Anyone who is against Sea Shepherd is automatically a supporter (or on the payroll) of the Japanese Whaling Fleet. By that argument Greenpeace must be a supporter of the Japanese Whaling Fleet. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Cletus - You are absolutely correct that l support SS. And to answer your comment l support SS 100% (including financially) and as long as the Japanese continue to whale in the South Pacific l will continue to do so regardless of SS tactics.

Spoken like a true supporter of the eco-terrorist SS repeated acts of violence. Violence is the answer. It's also the reason that Watson is now hiding from the authorities of various nations.

Thunderbird2 - I'm not a Sea Shepherd supporter, and I think their confrontational tactics are a wee bit dangerous for the personnel involved, but this extreme reaction towards Watson is baffling.

Watson has a more than four decades long history of using violence as a means to his ends. He's been arrested and fined over the years by various nations for his acts of violence. Now he's turned tail and ran away from Germany because Costa Rica wants Watson returned to answer charges in Costa Rician court. That doesn't even seem a wee bit baffling. INTERPOL understands it.

I can just see Watson giving a deep bow with his pants down facing the opposite way.

Ewwwww I'm glad I can't see that from where I am.

Ooh Watson is a rebel! He's cool! He's shown me I can break the law and not care about it from a cave!

All readers, please stay on topic. The subject is the arrest notice for Watson and the judicial process involved.

If they really wanted to be successful, they could just use that money they blow on sunken ships and put it into an ad campaign to make whale meat not profitable

Whale meat is already not profitable. It's only tax money that keeps it going. No matter how many donations they get and how much money they save on ships, no private organisation is ever going to have as much money to throw at the problem as the Japanese government does.

Chris Catalano - A lot of supposed "Eco-terrorists" are similarly brash, single-minded and annoying, but the term itself is a bit of an oxymoron. And sometimes you have to fight fire with fire.

Then you also believe that violence is the answer and I assume you will continue to advocate for eco-terrorist violence.

Watson, on the other hand, is a coward who is running from the law. That's what happens to people who act out their belief that violence is the answer and that no nations laws apply to them.

Good, they need to lock this nut up for a few years.

Interpol does not make such requests lightly. Also Watson did jump bail, if he was so innocent, and felt he held the moral high ground, he would have stayed.

He is no better than a terrorist and deserves to be treated as one as well. People can assume to "know" what Japan did or did not do, and if you believe everything you read in the papers or see on the news I have a nice piece of property for sale too.

Get the guy!

Japanese ships have done far more dangerous rammings than Sea Shephard - they cut a 4-man cateran in half sinking it and nearly killing those on board.

Generally, the more maneuverable ship is required to yield the right of way to the less maneuverable ship. For example power boats are required to yield the right of to sailing ships and smaller boats are required to yield the right of way to larger boats. In this case the Ady Gil being the smaller more maneuverable boat should have yielded to the larger whaling vessel. But that wouldn't have gone over too well with Paul Watson. As for sinking the ship, here's what Pete Bethune had to say in his own words:

After the ramming of the Ady Gil, Chuck said to me that Paul, the Admiral of the Sea Shepherd fleet, wanted me to scuttle the Ady Gil. He said there was no point in towing the boat all the way to the French base, and that it would be best if the boat was just sunk and we could get on with chasing the whalers. Later that day, Chuck and I went to the Ady Gil, and I performed the necessary tasks with Chuck observing. Ady Gil then gradually took on water, and later that night she was left to sink, while the Bob Barker moved on to pursue the fleet.

Why not Interpol put a big money on this wanted man? Many bounty hunters would capture him very soon.

As for the "neutral country " suggestion, why should a neutral country get involved? I commit a crime in Japan or against a japanese vessel, I get tried in Japan or in the country who's waters I commit the alledged crime. Same with Costa Rica. As the incidents happened in International waters against japanese vessels - he gets tried in Japan. The only ones suggesting he wouldn't get a fair trial in either Japan or Costa Rica are guess who? Yes, Watson and the sea shepherd goons. I must remember that next time I get a speeding ticket - no judge, I won't get a fair trial here - I want to get tried in neutral tibuktoo thanks. When Watson was convicted in Canada, it was for offences commited in Canadian waters.

Interesting :

http://www.interpol.int/Wanted-Persons/(wanted_id)/2012-306798

Dual Nationality - so seeing as he left his american passport in Germany, he's possibly travelling around on his Canadian one if he has one. If he doesn't, entering an ISPS port would be a tad problematic :O)

I'm starting to wonder whose PR stunt this is? I have no idea what good arresting Watson will do, except maybe chew up a lot of his money on defense lawyers. In the meantime it makes him a martyr for the cause and is giving him free publicity and more donations. I have no idea how this is going to play out. I anticipate that the govenment will get enough of a black eye that will give the whalers more problems with the IWC and might even legitimize the "sanctuary." Seems like it's all set to backfire.

YuriOtani - using their weapon on the helicopter is using deadly force. Flying close does not merit using deadly force. Then there is throwing junk at them, if someone is hurt it will be from the Japanese. Your hatred for this man has blinded you to the real nature of his activities. Now he is on the run from Japan.

I've followed Watson's infamous career for decades. Watson has always advocated violence and you are advocating for his repeated acts of violence as a means to your ends.

You object to the whaling crews DEFENDING themselves from eco-terrorist SS attacks.

Get him and lock him up. The people here with a fake sense of 'animal protection' will back away when asked to contribute to his bail money, I'm sure.

I think he likes a cave on a nice ship cruising around

What's the name of this rickety shack? And where will it port? Won't be any of the 190 member countries that won't harbour terrorists.

If he did face a Japanese court it would destroy Japan's international reputation

Rubbish. All you and your ilk will achieve is highlight emotional, intolerant and inconsistent wailing.

It is pleasing to see that many people of anti-whaling nations will now be able to recognise Watson as the "common criminal". Only the most crazed of anti-whalers could still regard Watson. I wonder if Hollywood and US TV studios will still have love for him. If he can not join the eco-terrorist expeditions, TV ratings must be lower. They should prevent losses by cutting the TV show.

Maybe finally Sea Shepherd even will learn to abide by law, as Japanese whalers do. They should become peaceful protest organization, at least.

Still, Japanese government and authorities have been very poor. It is only because of the good work of anti-whaling Costa Rica and Germany that such good event could happen.

ihope2eatwhalesAug. 09, 2012 - 11:15AM JST

Maybe finally Sea Shepherd even will learn to abide by law, as Japanese whalers do. They should become peaceful protest organization, at least.

The group was excommunicated from Greenpeace for being too violent, and that's the same organization that promotes vandalism, harassment, and other illegal things. There is no real hope for the group other than to disband and hope governments forget about them.

Seems a pretty extreme reaction for chucking stinkbombs... had it been nail bombs, grenades, using RPGs or actually torpedoing other vessels I could see the point.

Going by some of the comments on here you would think the guy brought down the World Trade Centre - you can't seriously be comparing him with the likes of bin Laden... can you?

Personally I think he's in his secret underwater base, ready to unleash his army of giant octopi on the whaling countries.

Would those who describe Watson as a terrorist also describe rioting students as terrorists? I'm not on the side of rioters and wrong-doers, but I think some perspective is needed.

Terrorists bring down planes, bomb tube stations, buildings and the like. They kill people without conscience. They induce terror.

Watson is an environmental extremist at worst... not a terrorist.

so easily*

YuriOtaniAug. 10, 2012 - 05:02AM JST OssanAmerica, so they never fired their sonic weapon at a aircraft in flight? A rope attack on their prop is one thing >but attacking the aircraft ie its pilot can get people killed. I have seen nothing to suggest that the Shepard's ever did >more than make pests out of themselves. True terrorism would involve real attacks that would sink the Whaling ships >at sea. The ships they sunk were in port and they opened the ships sea cocks. They settled to the bottom of their >berth filled with water. That is call vandalism not terrorism. The US State department is starting to use that term on all >groups it disagrees

Firstl;y please et your definitions straight, Sea Shepherd are Eco-Terrorists. The FBI has a definition for it and Watson himself has effectively admitted it by claiming that he "had a right to conduct eco-terrorism". So please drop this "torrisrism" issue. It';s history.Eco-Terrorism is a term that goes back to the late 1970s when groups like ALF were carrying out acts of criminal violemce in yjthe name of saving the "animals". It far predates the current usahe of the term "terrorist" in the post 911 world. Secondly, everything the Research Whalers habe doe is in DEFENSE, whereas everything Sea Shepherd has done is OFFENSE. I presume you are able to distinguish between the the two. Sea Shepherd openly declares that they aregoing to harass and interefere with the Research Whaling, They are the ones tracking the Whalers and approaching them. Have you ever watched aby of the youtube videos where the Sea Shepherd eco-terrorists approach and fire butryic ascid bottles from a launcher? Can you hear the loudspeaker telling them to back off?

I can just see Watson giving a deep bow with his pants down facing the opposite way.

Watson has always been disliked by many here in B.C. for his rashness and arrogance, BUT, even though his tactics seem brutish, underneath the bully exterior is someone who has been aware of, and willing to go out on a plank to bring to light some very serious issues having to do primarily with the gutting, exploiting, and polluting of the world's oceans by those who would know no limits if they disn't face a little hot-headed opposition now and then. A lot of supposed "Eco-terrorists" are similarly brash, single-minded and annoying, but the term itself is a bit of an oxymoron. And sometimes you have to fight fire with fire.

It is time to leave this Man alone.. He is doing exactly what most common sense Humans want. It is time to arrest the people that are destroying this wonderful planet called Earth.

Yubaru , Japan have already come out and openly stated that they sought the extradition of Watson after consulting Germany so he had good reason to fear it.. Don't like Watson at all but I don't like the way countries can extradite people from other countries do easily either.

@ OssanAmerica

I haven't seen any mention of which passport is currently held by the Germans. I presumed it would be the one with which he entered Germany but I haven't seen any reference as to which one.

From the German magazine Spiegel

Am Montag erschien der gebürtige Kanadier mit amerikanischem Pass nicht, wie er sollte, auf der Wache. ;o)

Heda, it was odd Germany would arrest him in the first place.

Flounder on Watson! Flounder on.

Hey JT, I suggest you actually real the Interpol press release. It specifically says:

A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. It is a request by INTERPOL for member countries to determine whether they can detain or arrest an individual in order for the requesting country to seek their extradition. INTERPOL cannot demand that any member country arrest the subject of a Red Notice.

Each of INTERPOL’s 190 member countries must apply their national laws and standards in determining whether it may detain or arrest the wanted person. Any additional enquiries in relation to the Red Notice for Paul Watson should be directed to Costa Rican authorities.

All we know is Costa Rica made a request for a Red Notice. That notice may or may not have have standing based on the countries Costa Rica has extradition treaties with. There are many countries he could go to in the west that would tell the Costa Ricans to go pound sand.

Japan has simply found a common ally. The Sea Shepard in 2002 discovered an extensive amount of illegal shark fishing off the Coast of Costa Rica. In retaliation for exposing this illegal practice the Costa Rican government placed an arrest warrant for Paul Watson for apparently an alleged violation of ships traffic and attempted murder. That was 12 years ago and it seems suspicious that now the Costa Rican authorities are making a renewed effort to have Watson extradited. Japan is a huge investor and financial partner for Costa Rica, it would only take one phone call from the MOFA and Costa Rican authorities could hardly refuse to act.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Japan's Economic Cooperation with Costa Rica (Cumulative total until fiscal 2010) Loans: 66,155 million yen Grants: 5,273 million yen Technical cooperation: 20,340 million yen http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/latin/costarica/index.html

He should turn himself in and face the charges. The evidence is circumstantial. Even if he is charged he will not do any jail time. And, SS will only grow stronger fur to the publicity. This is a good thing.

I have a question: Costa Rico has specified their charges against Captain Watson, but so far all I have read is that Japan wants him for "illegal activities". Come on what are the specific "illegal activities? Please I know what all of you think they are, but has the Japanese government published an actual list of charges that can be accessed?

eco-terrorist, what an interesting concept. Paul is being hunted for trying to keep the ecosystem from being wrecked. The wreckers are hiding behind laws that allow them to pollute and kill off entire species. Across the world pollution is killing, mercury, co2, dioxins are being pumped into the atmosphere. Millions of people a year are dying and getting sick and the worlds governments pay lip service. This is a attempt to take peoples minds off of real problems.

OssanAmerica, he was arrested on a bogus charge was Costa Rica. The criminal complaint was bought and paid for by Japan. He was headed to a phoney trial in Japan and straight to Japanese jail for a long time. A place where they give mothers who kill their children less time than people in auto accidents.

I like the charge "endangereing human lives" since the whaling fleet people need to be charged. I like watching TV and seeing the whalers pelt small boats with bolts, nails, hooks, etc. They are out to hurt or kill the protestors, Then there is the sonic weapon directed at the Shepherd's helicopter trying to make it crash. Then add the ramming attack on their boat. So the whalers are returning non-lethal attacks with lethal force attacks. Point out too that the people attacking are pure civilians. They should return the Shepherd's attacks in kins, by pouring rancid butter on them, etc. Their boats are not in danger of being hijacked only made stinky and perhaps disabled for a bit. The whalers are never in any danger.

I'm not a Sea Shepherd supporter, and I think their confrontational tactics are a wee bit dangerous for the personnel involved, but this extreme reaction towards Watson is baffling.

The "eco-terrorist SS" mantra spouted by ArrestPaul just sounds odd... almost like some kind of official line, same goes for the rhetoric used in the rest of his posts... Do you work for the Japanese whaling fleet?

Cletus - You are absolutely correct that l support SS. And to answer your comment l support SS 100% (including financially) and as long as the Japanese continue to whale in the South Pacific l will continue to do so regardless of SS tactics.

You forgot to mention that you support the eco-terrorist SS violence everywhere in the world. Costa Rica, as well as many other nations, have issued arrest warrants, arrested, and fined Watson and other members of the eco-terrorist SS. You believe that violence is the answer. The laws of nations mean nothing to you. International law means nothing to you. You object to the crew members of every nation DEFENDING themselves against the violence of the eco-terrorist SS. How DARE anyone DEFEND themselves against the actions of someone you idolize.

what most of you have forgotten the arrest warrant from Germany is for skipping bail a crime in most all countries so now watson is stuck on dry land in new zealand and that is great so now the new zealand will have to decide if they want this criminal in there country.

Wow! This is big news!

I would also like to add that since this is becoming such an international incident that it needs to be placed into a court in as neutral a country as possible for trial and yes Captain Watson needs to face the charges. But again some place neutral so there is a fair hearing and or trial.

Thunderbird2 - I'm not a Sea Shepherd supporter, and I think their confrontational tactics are a wee bit dangerous for the personnel involved, but this extreme reaction towards Watson is baffling.

The "eco-terrorist SS" mantra spouted by ArrestPaul just sounds odd... almost like some kind of official line, same goes for the rhetoric used in the rest of his posts... Do you work for the Japanese whaling fleet?

The U.S. FBI has determined that Watson's lawbreakers are an eco-terrorist organization.

It's OK for you to admit that you are a supporter of the eco-terrorist SS violence. What are you ashamed of? Violence is always the answer. Just ask Watson. If the coward ever stops running long enough for you to ask him.

I'm sure Watson suffers from (enjoys?) antisocial personality disorder which is a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood. Paul was involved with the violent actions of his first wife, Allison, when she was arrested for firebombing a timber company in 2000. Paul the coward, only drove the truck while his wife did the dirty work.

Do you support the violence of the eco-terrorist SS? Do you work for an eco-terrorist organization?

With the Intrerpol Red Notice the fat lying coward eco-terrorist fugitive can now be arrested in 190 countrries.

Good.

"I am presently in a place on this planet where I feel comfortable, a safe place far away from the scheming nations who have turned a blind eye to the exploitation of our oceans," the terrorist with an emotional agenda of his choosing said, adding from his cave: "I have a stick to beat less cute animals to death, so I'm not worried about any shortage of food at this point."

If Interpol has nothing better to do, maybe the org should just be disbanded.

Or they could round up the shark finners, THEN go after Watson, the man who did their jobs.

arrestpaul, Japan made a deal with Germany to send him directly to Japan. Think all of that bailout money for the European Union. It is not being a "coward" to flee from an unjust legal process. About his "authority" it is just as good as any private citizen. Then suppose you walk the other way when a crime is in progress, very Japanese. Ever wonder how children are abducted in plain sight in Japan?

OssanAmerica, so they never fired their sonic weapon at a aircraft in flight? A rope attack on their prop is one thing but attacking the aircraft ie its pilot can get people killed. I have seen nothing to suggest that the Shepard's ever did more than make pests out of themselves. True terrorism would involve real attacks that would sink the Whaling ships at sea. The ships they sunk were in port and they opened the ships sea cocks. They settled to the bottom of their berth filled with water. That is call vandalism not terrorism. The US State department is starting to use that term on all groups it disagrees.

arrestpaul, using their weapon on the helicopter is using deadly force. Flying close does not merit using deadly force. Then there is throwing junk at them, if someone is hurt it will be from the Japanese. Your hatred for this man has blinded you to the real nature of his activities. Now he is on the run from Japan.

Heda, why not? 100 billion dollars is a lot of influence.

How can they arrest a man who named his boat after Steve Irwin??? There is no justice in this world.

arrestpaul

You object to the whaling crews DEFENDING themselves from eco-terrorist SS attacks.

Im not answering for Yuri. But l must say the only thing l object to is the Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean. To me that is the only objectionable thing here. And if they where not their then they would not need to defend themselves from your little eco terrorists..... Problem solved.

Man, the police apparatus is now in the hands of politics (maybe it always was?). First Assange now Watson. These people were before covered by shows like 60 minutes. Now that the old guys are gone and America is useless the governments have stepped in. Thou shalt not interfere with activities of the state. This is getting bad

You can't be against China's unlawful entry into Okinawan waters and then support Sea Shepherd unlawful methods. Eityher you support law and order or you don't.

Justice must come first. Justice must come before law and order. If the Chinese Navy illegally entered Okinawan waters, and the Japanese Navy did nothing about it, I doubt you would be complaining about a private navy that made the Chinese Navy leave. But here you are complaining that SS went up against lawbreakers while the authorities sat on their hands, and the original lawbreakers just sail away scot free!

The word vigilante loses all meaning when the authorities do absolutely nothing about the criminals! In fact, in that case, the vigilantes ARE the authorities! So what is this? Jealousy? Revenge for being exposed?

arrestpaul

If the "only" thing you object to is Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean then you must support the eco-terrorist SS repeated use of violence. You certainly don't object to it. Violence is the answer.

You are absolutely correct that l support SS (ps havent you been told in the past by the mods to not refer to it as "eco-terrorist ....). And to answer your comment l support SS 100% (including financially) and as long as the Japanese continue to whale in the South Pacific l will continue to do so regardless of SS tactics.

And the cowardly Watson is still on the run.

Running from an unjust trial in Japan, dont blame him the bigots in this country already have him, tried and executed if they got their hands on him.

Ooh Watson is a rebel! He's cool! He's shown me I can break the law and not care about it from a cave!>

I think he likes a cave on a nice ship cruising around. If he did face a Japanese court it would destroy Japan's international reputation

Interpol has no jurisdiction for any person or area. It has no powers of arrest and has no legal authority to enforce any law.

It's a membership based organization with the same legal status as your local neighborhood bowling club.