Interpol issues arrest warrant for Sea Shepherd chief
Interpol has issued an international notice for the arrest of fugitive eco-warrior Paul Watson, famed for his high-seas clashes with Japanese whalers, after he skipped bail in Germany.
Watson's Sea Shepherd organisation was two years ago also involved in clashes with tuna fishermen based in Malta and later faced court action by a Maltese company.
It today denounced Interpol's move as part of a "politically motivated" campaign led by Japan to put an end to his efforts against whaling.
Watson, a 61-year-old Canadian, 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.
"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.
Lyon-based Interpol does not have the power to issue international arrest warrants but can request member countries make arrests based on foreign warrants through a "Red Notice".
Watson was detained in Germany for a week in May before being released on bail after paying 250,000 euros ($310,000) and being ordered to appear before police twice a day. But he skipped bail on July 22 and fled the country.
Watson, known to his supporters as "The Captain", is a veteran campaigner whose Sea Shepherd organisation is known for its muscular attacks on Japanese whalers.
Without revealing Watson's location, the organisation denounced Interpol's notice as part of an effort by Costa Rica on Japan's behalf.
"Today's elevation of the attack against our organisation and our founder, Captain Watson, is not unexpected," Sea Shepherd's administrative director, Susan Hartland, said.
"Japan is driving this effort in retaliation for our successful campaigns to stop them from whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary," she said.
"We've cost them millions of dollars and exposed their shame to the world because of their refusal to stop the slaughter of whales in an established sanctuary under the lie and loophole of 'research.'"
The group described as "bogus" Costa Rica's charges of "causing a danger of drowning or of an air disaster", which stem from the use of a water cannon against shark-finners.
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.
Watson said Costa Rica and Germany had been "pawns in the Japanese quest to silence Sea Shepherd", which has for years clashed with harpoon ships in the Southern Ocean.
He also did not reveal his location in the message.
"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," he said.
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Mr mario ghigo
Sep 19th 2012, 19:17
we inherited the world from our fathers ..... we cannot steal it from our kids,
Charles Grima
Sep 14th 2012, 09:10
To all those commenting negatively, I cannot understand you. Most probably you do not have enough brain matter to make your world go round!
This guy is sacrificing his all to save the world's mammals and fish... namely whales, dolphins, tuna and sharks from excessive decimation.
Japanese finning is exceedingly cruel, where a shark is brought up on a ship, have its' fins removed cruelly by sharp knives, and the fish thrown back into the sea without a means to propel itself. It usually sinks straight to the bottom and dies an agonizing death.
The same with whales... seeing a whale surface is probably the greatest emotion I have ever seen (outside of family), and it is with great sadness that the world continues to look on while the same Japanese slaughter them in their hundreds..
How long can we remain blind? how long can the free world continue to accept this? How long before the world wakes up to an empty ocean?
for the last question... my guess is, NOT TOO LONG!!!!
Joe Portelli
Aug 10th 2012, 17:17
man will never have the power to save the Earth - the only power man has is to destroy the Earth and this is likely to be taken away from us by the Lord Himself , before its too late.
In the meantime all these wannabes are simply 'Pirates' searching for celebrity status because they do not fit in society and will not take the long hard road that is required, to really make a difference.
Its like trying to bomb another country into submission - a temporary success, but persuasion tactics may not seek instant recognition but have longer term effect.
Julian Pio Cefai
Sep 13th 2012, 10:25
What kind of mentality is that? it's like you're hoping that some supernatural power detroys our world before we apparently inevitably do. Well if you believe that we can do no good then yes you will not be able to do good for this earth but do not make the egotistical, proud and arrogant assumption that no one has the ability to do good for the earth. That is simply ridiculous. The earth will be here long after we die off the only thing we are destroying is ourselves not the earth. We are just a speck of dust in huge universe and believe it or not the earth does not revolve around the human race. The only thing we need to save is the environment that allows us to survive, and believe it or not we are capable of doing so.
Edward Camilleri
Aug 9th 2012, 08:46
You try to do something to save some defenceless creatures and Interpol will issue arrest warrants against you. You try to destroy a nation and everyone sits back!!
steve Micallef
Aug 9th 2012, 00:43
I live in West Austraila and last week i saw my first whale and what a site a magnificent animal plus we see dolphins every day.
The Captain is a hero hear and they have a base up in freo. So what to some might be a terrorist he is a hero hear as he stands up to tyrants that go along and rape and pillage our seas. So if you have a problem and don't know who to call ! Call the sea shepherd
J. Scicluna
Aug 8th 2012, 18:13
The sooner they put this eco-terrorist hiding in his place the better.
One cannot, even if the right, endanger human life and ride rough-shod over everyone just to show-off his holier than the pope attitude when it comes to ecology.
No matter how right you are, the second you take the law into your own hands and become judge, jury and executioner you break the Law and become a CRIMINAL; period.
david debattista
Aug 8th 2012, 20:25
SINK THE WHALERS ! RESEARCH MY FOOT . IN THE NEAR FUTURE MR SCICLUNA WARS WILL
ERUPT BECAUSE OF THE DEPLETION OF OUR SEAS . THE MAN IS LIGHT YEARS AHEAD AND PEOPLE LIKE YOU CANNOT SEE IT . SAME GOES FOR YOUR PERCEPTION OF THE LAW !
Mark Falzon
Aug 8th 2012, 20:33
Japanese trawlers have for years been illegally slaughtering whales under the “research” umbrella just because the Japanese like the taste of freshly processed whale meet. On the contrary an ever growing number of people are supporting Paul Watson whose vision goes past the money making machine that is throwing the world’s values out of the window.
I am sure you understand that the “sooner they put this eco-terrorist hiding in his place the better” the sooner the Japanese will continue to slaughter whales to extinction, after all Mr Scicluna who the hell gave the Japanese the right to eradicate whales from the face of the earth.
S. Camilleri
Aug 8th 2012, 23:05
There are times when its not enough to sit on a fence. Captain Paul Watson is fighting fire with fire. His actions should be encouraged but of course those who think they own the seas because they can afford fancy lawyers and have politicians on the paycheck ... they think otherwise.
Only when the last tree has been cut down;
Only when the last river has been poisoned;
Only when the last fish has been caught; Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.
Edward Camilleri
Aug 9th 2012, 08:54
@J. Scicluna
Using your theory, then the Japanese should have been arrested ages ago for their persistence to illegally hunt these whales. I never heard people like you protesting against the Japanese so that they get prosecuted.
What Sea Shepherd and others are trying to do, is what the world should have done! And this does not apply to the Japanese only, but to other Maltese/European criminals that want to clear the Mediterranean sea of any life.
Steven Cutajar
Aug 8th 2012, 17:52
You try to save our earth - you get persecuted and even potentially jailed.
You destroy the planet - that's all fine.
What a sick world we live in...
D Borg
Aug 8th 2012, 21:52
Could not have said it better.............unfortunately
it's about time we all become Paul Watson
John Attard
Aug 9th 2012, 06:54
However one has a right to protest within legal limits. Taking the law into one's own hands is not acceptable anywhere in the world. That is why law enforcement exists.
D Mifsud
Aug 9th 2012, 08:16
Yes protest within legal limits....and what if those legal limits are wrong and are protecting those who destroy the everything. Humans are stupid species driven by greed and these legal limits are done by humans. This thing of protesting within legal limits is very comfortable and convenient so that they can continue doing their savagery. Paul Watson should be hailed and supported and not prosecuted.
Joseph N. Attard
Aug 8th 2012, 17:28
Here's another hero, the type of Assange, who think they can do whatever they like in the name of some cause or another, but then are too cowardly to face the consequences. But now both of them will soon have to answer for their illegal acts, or spend the rest of their wretched lives looking over their shoulders.
Jay Grimaldi
Aug 8th 2012, 19:01
I laughed at your comment cause it's very ironic. Just to let you know, Assange was exposing the truth.......
It's your problem if you don't like that.
Ramon Casha
Aug 8th 2012, 19:03
One big difference: Assange operated entirely within the law.
Joseph N. Attard
Aug 8th 2012, 19:41
@ Jay Grimaldi: Bet you Assange isn't laughing....Exposing State Secrets, however much you may think it is desirable, is called breaking the law. Breaking the law is punishable...by death, in some countries.
@Ramon Casha: Exposing state secrets is not called "operating within the law". We've been through this before, and I will not keep answering anyone else who mistakenly thinks that the end justifies the means. As I said, both of the above gentlemen will have to answer for their actions sooner or later, or they can choose to be fugitives for the rest of their lives.
S. Camilleri
Aug 8th 2012, 23:07
@Ramon Casha ... what laws please? And what laws does one break on the high seas when protecting our common heritage?
alfred buhagiar
Aug 9th 2012, 02:56
We do not need people like you in this word who do not see the value of the true as long you have food on your table you are ok and no mater. Can't you see that the law is made by RICH & POWERFUL people for there interest which I think you are one of them.
Please choose the reason of your report below: