Sea Shepherd leader Watson freed on bail while extradition decided

i'll bet that blowhard runs from the country and starts claiming he is being persecuted unfairly.

“putting a ship’s crew in danger”

Hell if that's the charge then he should be extradited to Japan following his vacation in Costa Rica and tried for the numerous instances where he put Japanese crews in danger.

Bet he jumps bail.

If I were Watson, I'd much rather spend time in the dirtiest, smelliest rat-infested prison in Costa Rica than the cleanest prison in Japan... (he might actually have a chance to be released from the former).

Watson would be extradited to Costa Rica sooner or later as he is a criminal whatever people say about him. He will face the judgement in the court there. After years in the jail, then to Japan?

Watson is an arrogant fool and does everything for his own personal gain.

Go Paul Go!

A living deity. Godspeed, Paul Watson.

I am wondering if he left him getting caught on purpose. He is defending a lost cause he believes he should. Thus a trial would give him the opportunity of catching the attention of a large audience differently than being on a Zodiac. Everyone has heard about him, but only a few has heard him directly. That might put the "borderline countries" on an uncomfortable situation. Thus I definitely believe he will be relaxed very quickly without asking for. IMHO.

Hmm, keep the 250,000 euros and get extradited to CR or flee the country and avoid a possible death sentence and command the $10 mil that SS has in its coffers...hard decision that.

He should be sent to prison for the rest of his life.

Suppose the patrol boat was looking after the interest of the people who bribed them. So what will happen when there are no sea life left? Japan taking the last whale for "research", the last blue tuna or any tuna makes their display on their back in Tokyo. Right now there is no legal way to protect the species of Earth from extinction. The worlds governments are lining their pockets and while people complain the process of extinction will continue.

Don't worry Captain Watson isn't going to run from some of the best possible publicity available for his cause.

cadmium31680 - Hmm, keep the 250,000 euros and get extradited to CR or flee the country and avoid a possible death sentence and command the $10 mil that SS has in its coffers...hard decision that.

Posting bail is suppose to prevent someone from fleeing jurisdiction.

The eco-terrorist Watson isn't putting up his own money. Fleeing isn't going to cost him anything. The eco-terrorist Watson doesn't care if Germany keeps the 250,000E or burns it. There are plenty of suckers who will give him more. The eco-terrorist Watson has probably already left Germany. Just like he fled from the Guatamalian patrol boat.

I'm not sure what "death sentence" you are refering to?

The whalers and shark fin butchers are the real "Eco-terrorists", not Mr. Watson. What have you haters done to help the rapidly depleting sea life and murder of sea life?

yep best publicity ever, people sympathetic to his cause will just support him even more, that means more money more boats more volunteers, if the whalers think the misery is over, think again its only just begun, going to donate some more cash to SS bring on the pain HAHA

The only difference in Watson’s pirates and the ones in Somali is he videos his acts of piracy and sells it to the highest bidder. All you have to do is look at the SS logo and paint scheme on its ships to determine that he pictures himself a swashbuckling Robin Hood. No matter how much the hand-wringing- save- the- ocean- crowd tries to justify his action; the fact remains, he is just a egotistical vigilante criminal breaking Maritime law and putting people’s lives in danger.

Eric,

Is there any other information out there that the whaling groups have published besides furthering its own cause to allow whaling to continue?

1) Who will conduct research for the sustainability of whaling if whaling groups themselves do not? 2) What type of research do you expect whaling groups to conduct?

There is no such thing as a free lunch. For the sea food producers and their governments, who need to take care for the sustainability of their product, this is especially true.

@IHOPETOEATWHALES Check this out. I don't care what the ship is called. We may have gotten the name wrong, but the pro-whalers just get the facts wrong. I haven't seen better tapping dancing on Star Search. I too, agree that the ship was run over on purpose. And everything points exactly to that. I will not be apologetic in my opinions at all. You guys simply misrepresent and manipulate the facts. I don't need to read the report. I have seen the video and it shows the ship clearing changing its course and heading directly into the ADY GILL. There is no doubt about that. You can tap dance all around it, but my eyes will never deceive ME! That was intentional. And I also, think that the ship's captain should have been hauled off to jail. If it had been near American waters, that would have been the case. Something stinks in the fact that he wasn't. Once again, don't need to read the report at all. I have eyes.

You wanna call Paul Watson an eco-terrorist. GOOD. Go for it. I like that. That is what is needed to draw attention to the rape of the seas. If it was not for him, people would not even know about the issue and the whaling fleets would go about their business as usual and would continue to spew their nonsense to as many unwitting people as they could. Fact is, they are a fly in the ointment for the pro-whalers selfish agenda and it makes you mad. Hence the name calling. That is another thing. The pro-whaling side loves to call others names and be disrespectful. If you don't agree with us, then you must be ignorant, right? WRONG!!! Just not naive!!!

Whereas, Eric may show you respect, I will not. Not happening. I don't buy what you are shoveling at all. Whaling needs to stop. PERIOD. Find another way of hunting them and I might be in your corner. Stop manipulating the facts, and I might be in your corner. But I am PROUDLY AND OPENLY AGAINST WHALING.

Yuri!!! I know I usually give you a lot of flack, but not on this one. You are right as rain. The sad part is that there are so many people who are ignoring what is actually going on out there in our oceans. I saw a report where they talked of miles and miles upon seas where there was no life at all off the North East coast of the US. Fisherman from all over the planet have over-fished the area and now it will take years upon year for the barren part of that sea to recover if it ever does. What? Should we let the tuna fishermen monitor themselves? Don't think so. Look at what they have already done! And the whaling groups would like nothing better as well. No big deal. The seas will be dead after we are gone, so we needn't feel responsible for sustaining life there for future generations because MONEY is the most important thing. HA!

Same thing with you PRO-WHALING types. I bet that WHALERS would love nothing better than to be able to monitor THEMSELVES and let US trust in THEM. FAT CHANCE! They can't put money in everyone's pocket.

I would love to hear ARRESTPAUL explain the two points that ERIC brought up about the speculations that he has made and why is it that the WHALERS can't do their researching without hunting the whales down and slaughtering them, just to later send them off to the market shelves. I am waiting for that one. Or is IHOPE2EATWHALES the one serving things up now for him?

imap2223 - You wanna call Paul Watson an eco-terrorist. GOOD. Go for it. I like that.

So do I. The FBI identified the eco-terrorist Watson as just another eco-terrorist due to his repeated acts of violence. Just like all the other eco-terrorists who destroy property and threaten peoples lives.

imap2223 - I would love to hear ARRESTPAUL explain the two points that ERIC brought up about the speculations that he has made and why is it that the WHALERS can't do their researching without hunting the whales down and slaughtering them, just to later send them off to the market shelves. I am waiting for that one.

I thought you were Eric??? There is a plethora of threads on the eco-terrorist SS repeated acts of violence against the Japanese. They also contain an explaination as to why the whale meat must be sold. Maybe you could read those???

This thread is about the eco-terrorist Watson being freed on bail by Germany for his acts of violence against the Costa Ricans.

It is funny, I can't find anything where the FBI has labeled him an eco-terrorist. If so, then please show supporting evidence to the contrary. I could be wrong, and don't mind admitting if I am. But who really cares what the FBI thinks? The FBI has listed so many people wrongly anyways. So, what?

I see that you are still not going to answer the questions that were to forth to you by ERIC are you?

imap2223 - It is funny, I can't find anything where the FBI has labeled him an eco-terrorist. If so, then please show supporting evidence to the contrary. I could be wrong, and don't mind admitting if I am.

But who really cares what the FBI thinks?

The FBI has listed so many people wrongly anyways. So, what?

I think it's funny also but I can't help you with your search difficulties. If you don't care what the FBI has to say - Why do you want to know what the FBI said?

FYI - The FBI hasn't issued a statement about the eco-terrorist Watson being freed on bail in Germany while extradition to Costa Rica is decided.

FYI - The FBI hasn't issued a statement about the eco-terrorist Watson being freed on bail in Germany while extradition to Costa Rica is decided.

Probably because they don't have a problem with him. I went to Google couldn't find anything. I went to the F.B.I. website, once again, zero. I know you PAUL. You willfully give out links to information when you have it, even if you are not asked to. It sounds like it doesn't exist to me and you know it. If it doesn't exist than please refrain from spreading misinformation.

Why do I care what the F.B.I. says? I don't. I only care because you said the F.B.I. labeled him as an eco-terrorist. It sounds like that is not true, only you and your kin have done that.

Still waiting for a retort to those questions.

There is a plethora of threads on the eco-terrorist SS repeated acts of violence against the Japanese.

Oh, can't say that I like this either. A plethora of threads. What are threads? Threads are just streams of comments by some informed but mostly misinformed individuals spewing truths and half-truths as well, and is hardly a worthy source of information to cite.

Better yet how about this?

In testimony on "The Threat of Eco-Terrorism" given to the a US congressional subcommittee in 2002, Sea Shepherd was the first group mentioned by an FBI official for having attacked commercial fishing operations by cutting drift nets

Notice that it does not call him an eco-terrorist? Ah-ha!!

I have done your homework for you. See, I have given information that is not exactly good for my cause. Honesty, that is what that is. But it does not label him as you have. It just says that their group was the first mentioned for having attacked commercial fishing. But they didn't call him, nor the group a "terrorist". So, let's try not to run with half-truths, please. I hope he gets out with or without bail, makes it back to his ship and gets down to business of stopping them from poaching. Australia, by the way considers Japan's actions as illegal. No, sympathy for them though, huh? I have stated this before. Do the whaling in Japanese waters and it is none of anyone's business. Go half way around the world to do it in someone's backyard and then it becomes everyone's business and rightly so. Go, Paul Watson. Do your thing!!!!

imap2223 - Better yet how about this?

In testimony on "The Threat of Eco-Terrorism" given to the a US congressional subcommittee in 2002, Sea Shepherd was the first group mentioned by an FBI official for having attacked commercial fishing operations by cutting drift nets

Notice that it does not call him an eco-terrorist? Ah-ha!!

Am I to understand that you found an FBI document listed under "The Threat of ECO-TERRORISM" that mentions the eco-terrorist SS directly followed by the phrase "acts of eco-terrorism" and then the FBI's definition of eco-terrorism? How is it possible that you still claim that the FBI doesn't believe that the leader of that eco-terrorist organization isn't an eco-terrorist?

Since 1977, when disaffected members of the ecological preservation group Greenpeace formed the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and attacked commercial fishing operations by cutting drift nets, acts of "eco-terrorism" have occurred around the globe. 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.

arrestpaulMay. 21, 2012 - 09:24PM JST So do I. The FBI identified the eco-terrorist Watson as just another eco-terrorist due to his repeated acts of violence. Just like all the other eco-terrorists who destroy property and threaten peoples lives.

If that is true, then, why isn't Dutch goverment revoking their ship registrations or U.S. revoking Sea Shepard tax exmpt status? Both the Steve Irwin and Bob Barker ships sail under Dutch flag leading a direct complaints by the Japanese government towards Netherlands. However, Netherlands refuse to considered revoking the registrations for both vessels. Japan also has numerous times to U.S. goverment about revoking the Sea Shepards's tax exempt status in the U.S. they have refused. Maybe the Sea Shepard has a stronger case than Japan, where both Dutch goverment and U.S. goverment is protecting them.

Paul Watson has a US passport. In 2009 when he was not allowed to enter Australia, he was provided documentation by the US and Canadian governments that exonerated him from previously claimed acts of violence, specifically of intentionally sinking a ship in Norway. If he was considered a terrorist then why would they assist him?????? Hmmmmmmmm. Answer: They wouldn't. Therefore, he is not considered a terrorist.

So, basically, the only people who are calling him an eco-terrorist are the Japanese media and you guys.

In January this year, a bill was submitted to the Netherlands parliament that would enable Dutch authorities to strip eco-terrorist vessels of their Dutch flag. Until now, such a law did not exist in the Netherlands, to their embarrassment.

The bill is to be considered shortly.

Sea Shepherd complained that the Netherlands caved into Japanese diplomacy. Such a complaint is an admission of guilt. It's simple. If they refrain from eco-terrorism, they will not have their Dutch flag stripped. Even a school child can understand this.

However, Netherlands refuse to considered revoking the registrations for both vessels

They could not do anything due to lack of proper law in their country.

The U.K. stripped SS flag, as did other countries. You know the reason why.

Such a complaint is an admission of guilt.

Not it isn't an admission of guilt and even a child can understand that. They simply complained that the Dutch caved into pressure from the Japanese. How is it possible for you to make such a huge jump? One has nothing to do with the other.

It doesn't matter who has stripped whose flag. Just because countries have done so is neither here, nor there. Just because countries caved into Japanese pressure means nothing at all. Yeah, most us no the reason why. MONEY! Of course, that is just speculation, but most likely a very accurate one that is shared by many.

sfjp330 - So do I. The FBI identified the eco-terrorist Watson as just another eco-terrorist due to his repeated acts of violence. Just like all the other eco-terrorists who destroy property and threaten peoples lives.

If that is true, then, why isn't Dutch goverment revoking their ship registrations or U.S. revoking Sea Shepard tax exmpt status? Both the Steve Irwin and Bob Barker ships sail under Dutch flag leading a direct complaints by the Japanese government towards Netherlands.

Has the eco-terrorist Watson fled German jurisdiction yet?

Moderator: It is not necessary to constantly refer to Watson as "eco-terrorist Watson." His surname will suffice.

imap2223 - Paul Watson has a US passport. In 2009 when he was not allowed to enter Australia, he was provided documentation by the US and Canadian governments that exonerated him from previously claimed acts of violence

Hahahaha. Don't you mean that they supplied documents that proved that the eco-terrorist Watson and crews were only a danger to themselves due to incompetence?

I wonder if the German police are currently holding the eco-terrorist Watson's U.S. passport to prevent him from fleeing the country like he fled in Costa Rica, Canada, and Norway?

Moderator: We already asked you to to stop saying "eco-terrorist Watson." His surname will suffice.

Eric,

the laws in the Netherlands are not the point of discussion.

sfjp330 was talking of the Netherlands. (Are you also sfjp330 as well as Eric and imap2223?)

Dutch laws which are not favorable at the time to the pro-whalers.

Lack of Dutch laws to suppress eco-terrorism is an issue for many people, not "pro-whalers" alone.

Japan has brought pressure to bear on many countries

I will use sarcasm. Yes, what you say is true. It is why IWC has lifted the moratorium of commercial whaling.

Japan is unfortunately not so powerful. They would have stamped out Sea Shepherd long ago were it otherwise. Diplomatic route takes a long time.

offensive language of anti-whalers to suggest that whale eaters are "inhumane" which is accepted here always.

The way whales are killed is inhumane. Anyone who joyfully eats whales knowing that they are killed inhumanely is inhumane by association. Anyone who joyfully eats whales not knowing that they are killed inhumanely needs to be reminded of the fact. Calling whale-killers and whale-eaters inhumane is accepted because it's true. If it offends you...tough. The truth often hurts.

Back on topic please.

HERE! HERE!

cleo - The way whales are killed is inhumane. Anyone who joyfully eats whales knowing that they are killed inhumanely is inhumane by association. Anyone who joyfully eats whales not knowing that they are killed inhumanely needs to be reminded of the fact. Calling whale-killers and whale-eaters inhumane is accepted because it's true

It's also TRUE that Watson, as the head of an eco-terrorist organization, attacked and detained a Costa Rica flagged fishing vessel. It's true that Watson fled the area when confronted by actual legal authorities. It's true that the eco-terrorist SS had NO LEGAL AUTHORITY to attack, disable, or detain any vessel. It's also true that Costa Rica issued a warrant for Watson's arrest. It's also true that Germany arrested Watson. It's also true that JapanTimes own poll found that JT posters "consider the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd to be eco-terrorists."

at the end of the day Mr Watson and his volunteers are prepared to put themselves on the line for the cause they believe in, are the whalers prepared to do that!? dont think so, this is why they will eventually (the whalers) fail in what they are trying to achieve.

But not the FBI as you earlier stated. Oh, so the posters here feel that they are eco-terrorist? So, what? No big deal at all. Look at where we are at. That proves nothing.

The incident took place in Guatemalan waters a decade ago when Watson's boat, the Farley Mowat, encountered an illegal shark-finning operation run by a Costa Rican ship, the Varadero, in Guatamalan waters. Crew on the Varadero falsely accused Watson of attempting to ram their boat and Watson was charged by Costa Rican authorities with attempted murder. But he was actually asked by the Guatemalan president to join in the fight against the mafia funded illegal shark-finning operation. Meaning he was doing what he was asked to do and was also in Guatamalan waters at the time of the incident. The Costa Rican ship was the one there illegally.

Watson's charges were subsequently dismissed when a video of the incident filmed by a documentary crew was shown to the Costa Rican prosecutor. In that video, it was obvious that nothing was further from the truth and all chargers were dropped until they were later re-filed by a newly appointed prosecutor. Funny how the charges were filed at the same time that the Japanese filed a civil suit in Seattle against him. Just bad timing or a coincidence? I sure wouldn't call it that and even a child would question such.

I'm sure the pro-whalers would have loved for him to not have fled and gone to jail where he would have, without a doubt been killed by the mafia who runs that business. I can hear them salivating at the mouth over the idea that he might be headed there.

The whole Costa Rican and Japanese filings are too convenient and you know it.

If you continue to talk about how bad this guy is, than why don't you give us the full details instead of bits and pieces that just benefit the whalers? You are right, correct? Then there is nothing to hide. Bring stuff out in their entirety.

They were invited by the Guatemalan authorities to help stop poaching in their waters. The Varadero violated several laws. Guatemalan, Costa Rican and International laws. They didn't even have a permit for fishing outside of Costa Rican waters, much less in Guatemalan waters. They radioed for help way after they were being tugged in to port. Corruption was the reason the gun boats were called to intercept them.

Yeah, they fled. You would too if you knew gun boats were coming in your direction thinking that you were trying to sink a ship. Did the Guatemalans file for extradition for the Sea Sheppard members, ever? NO! It happened in their waters, you would think that they would if they didn't ask them to come in and help them. Thank God he had sense to leave when he did or he wouldn't be here.

There are several Asian countries who are heavily involved in this business in central America and it is well financed by the mafia as well. I don't think Japan has any vested interest in that business though. I am not sure.

Now, ask yourself, why did this case die ten years ago and suddenly resurface at the exact same time that the Japanese filed a civil suit in Seattle? Political motivation. Political strong arming. I'm sure we will see a huge increase in funding by the J-gov officials in Costa Rica after this. But I can admit, that is just speculation. I am not sure, but I will be monitoring it.

Interesting that it was dismissed by INTEPOL in January, but Germany ignored that. The guy has been in Europe a couple of times since the charges were filed. He was there in Germany last November and nothing happened. The US's HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT doesn't even have an extradition filed on the guy either.

The charges by the Costa Rican authorities are only for navigation purposes at this time. Not for attempted murder. He will walk.

imap2223 - Interesting that it was dismissed by INTEPOL in January, but Germany ignored that. The guy has been in Europe a couple of times since the charges were filed. He was there in Germany last November and nothing happened. The US's HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT doesn't even have an extradition filed on the guy either.

The charges by the Costa Rican authorities are only for navigation purposes at this time. Not for attempted murder. He will walk.

He will flee. INTERPOL isn't involved in this. The U.S. DHS isn't involved in this. Costa Rica and Germany are.

imap2223 - Now, ask yourself, why did this case die ten years ago...

Probably because the eco-terrorist SS paid bribes to have the case dropped.

He will flee. INTERPOL isn't involved in this. The U.S. DHS isn't involved in this. Costa Rica and Germany are.

He won't need to. I doubt he would be that foolish to run on what is most likely being done on a technicality. Costa Rica is most likely doing this, and yes, this is speculation, but Japan most likely had something to do with it.

Probably because the eco-terrorist SS paid bribes to have the case dropped.

Possible, hell anything is. Why did it suddenly come back to life then? Japan had nothing to do with it? Hmmmmm. Rich country (JAPAN) influences smaller economically weaker country (COSTA RICA) to file old dead charges from TEN YEARS ago at the same time that it does the same thing in SEATTLE???? Sounds more plausible then ecology group is able to pay off small country more money than shark-finning, mafia invested and Asian businessmen whom have a large financial stake in exporting illegal trade to Asia.

Technicality by the GERMANS. I doubt they have been influenced by the J-gov.

imap2223 - Possible, hell anything is. Why did it suddenly come back to life then?

Costa Rica probably just found out that eco-terrorist, animal-rights zealots had paid bribes to have the original case dropped. The case was never settled. The Costa Rican crew members never had their day in court. There was no due process.

Costa Ricans were attacked and illegally detained by wanna-be pirates who had NO legal authority to attack or detain any vessel. Why wouldn't there be a court case to settle this issue.

You are speculating again as to if they were bribed by the Sea Sheppard officials which is highly unlikely, due to the fact that there are many Asian businessmen there buying the fins and financing the Costa Rican poachers. Logic shows that it if anyone was going to bride the officials, it would be those businessmen who have the most to lose by having the Sea Sheppard patrolling Guatemalan waters .

One, the charges were filed at the same time as the Japanese filed theirs in a Seattle court. Looks very suspicious to anyone!

Two, the case didn't have to be settled because it was dropped after the Costa Rican government took a look at the tapes that were also simultaneously sent out to the Canadian government, and decided there was no case against them. If the Sea Sheppard was in the wrong, don't you think Canadian officials would have screamed "FOUL"? The poachers didn't need due process, because they had no evidence at all to the contrary.

Three, the poachers didn't have a permit to be there in Guatemalan waters in the first place.

Four, the Sea Sheppard was invited there by the Guatemalan government to assist them in eradicating illegal poachers from their waters. So, they did have a legal right to be there.

Five, you are siding with the shark-finning mafia industry? A practice that is regulated in most countries and illegal in others. Countries like Guatemala don't have the financial resources to protect the sharks, hence they called on the Sea Sheppard for assistance. But you would rather side with a despicable lot with mafia ties??????

There was no court case, because the actions that the barbaric poachers were doing was illegal. No permit. NOT LEGAL. NO CASE.

Arrestpaul. It is not right to go against someone because you feel disdain for them. More importantly, is which side you stand on and WHY you stand there. You are standing up for a group of illegal poachers, or should I say the money side.

I am standing up for the Sea Sheppard, which was asked to be there and was doing what it was asked to do by the authorities. I am standing on the side of justice, not money.

How can you defend a group of people who illegally enter another country's waters, just to do something that is barbaric and cruel?

imap2223 - You are speculating again as to if they were bribed by the Sea Sheppard officials which is highly unlikely, due to the fact that there are many Asian businessmen there buying the fins and financing the Costa Rican poachers. Logic shows that it if anyone was going to bride the officials....

it would be the eco-terrorist SS because their leader had once again violated the law. This time by illegally detaining a Costa Rica fishing vessel and "claiming" that he had legal authority to do so. No such legal authority existed. Watson fled because he lied about having a legal authority to detain anyone. Pressure was later applied to prevent the case from going to court where Watson would have been found guilty as charged.

Does your use of the terms "unlikely" and "logic shows" mean that you have no actual proof but are actually only speculating?

imap2223 - How can you defend a group of people who illegally enter another country's waters, just to do something that is barbaric and cruel?

I'm not defending them. You are. The eco-terrorist SS had no legal authority to attack, disable, detain any vessel. Watson should go to Costa Rica and defend his actions in court. The fishermen and Watson are both entitled to due process.

Unless, of course, you believe Watson is guilty as charged and will spend time a Costa Rica jail for violating Costa Rica law.

ROFLMAO.... arrestpaul, please tell the ICR that they are not paying you enough! But, please finish your education before they do; there are many metaphors that could be inserted here, but I'm not truly sure that any of them would be understood by you! Your comments are absolutely hilarious and funny to see... it's just like when the ICR said that Bethune rammed their ship, when it was VIDEO documented that he had been out of gas for a day already and couldn't move his ship; then the big bad Japanese ship comes in and is rammed!.... I saw the Japanese footage (which was very poor and wait, was that you, arrestpaul?) and truly believe that money will buy you most anything.... so sad....