Whaling activist may be charged / Sea Shepherd member who boarded Japan ship to be handed to JCG

[FarCenter]

The Yomiuri Shimbun

The Fisheries Agency is expected to hand over to the Japan Coast Guard an activist from the antiwhaling group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society who boarded a Japanese research whaling fleet patrol ship, it has been learned.

The activist, Pete Bethune, was detained after he boarded the patrol ship Shonan Maru No. 2 in the Antarctic Ocean on Monday. The relevant authorities, including the Foreign Ministry, are discussing how to deal with the situation.

The authorities are considering filing charges against Bethune on suspicion of property damage and illegally boarding a ship.

In 2008, as part of the activities the Sea Shepherd group carried out to obstruct Japanese research ships, two activists boarded a Japanese vessel and were held. However, they were released soon after.

Bethune, a New Zealander, is the former skipper of high-tech powerboat the Ady Gil, which sank following a collision with the Shonan Maru last month.

Bethune used a knife to cut a net on the Shonan Maru that was set up to prevent people accessing the deck illegally, and boarded the ship. He then handed over a letter to the captain of the Shonan Maru, which, in part, demanded compensation for the sinking of the Ady Gil.

However, as Japanese laws are applicable on Japanese vessels, Bethune was held under the authority of the Shonan Maru's captain for trespassing.

<SNIP>http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20100217TDY02306.htm

[upi402]

1. I admire these folks

What misery they suffer to save this lone ball of life.
:patriot:
As time goes by, I like Japan less and less.

[flvegan]

2. YESSS!!!!!

I'd love to see a trial. A savvy lawyer (of which SSCS will have their choice...likely for free) will no doubt be able to drag the sinking of the Ady Gil, the attempted murder of her crew and the whole premise of "research" whaling out for public consumption.

Right into their hands, whalers. Well played.

[FarCenter]

3. In a Japanese Admiralty Court????

[flvegan]

5. Sure.

Politically and financially, I'm sure Japan will want to afford him some sort of due process, being from NZ and all.

As with all things in this dance in the Southern Ocean, the whole world is watching.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

11. Actually the whole world is watching the Winter Games and few give a hoot

about "this dance in the Southern Ocean.

[flvegan]

13. And when the next season of "Whale Wars" airs

you can suck those words right back down, mate.

[nashville_brook]

4. oh man, i hope you're right.

that'd rock.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

6. considering the fact that the sinking is still being investigated by 3 parties

i am going to call foul on putting full blame on the japanese for the sinking of the ady gil, doubly so on any attempted murder charges

[flvegan]

7. As is your right. n/t

[ProgressiveProfessor]

9. Given the jurisdiction issues and the inability of a single party to gather all information

the investigations will be a bad joke with major finger pointing. Just look at how many were done over the Titanic and the disparity in the results and conclusions.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

8. I gather you have not had any exposure to Admiralty Courts and the Japanese legal system

There will be strictly limited scope in terms of evidence and issues allowed to be brought up. All the rules will be followed. No Chicago 7 antics will be tolerated. Additionally, only accredited representatives may be used, so it really does not matter who SCCS tries to bring in internationally. Court room could well be closed. There will be no cameras. The Japanese courts have never allowed themselves to be media circuses as some have been in the US. Read up on how Japan courts handled the trials from Sarin attack and how they manage death penalty administration. Strict does not begin to cover it.

The most likely scenario is that he will be transported to Japan by sea and while that is happening a deal will be worked out between the governments. Both sides will claim victory and ICR will continue to kill whales.

[flvegan]

12. Nope, and I don't care, frankly.

And an odd thing to be unsure about to boot. I mean really, when/where/why/how would I have? Anyway...

They can close the court tight as a drum, and Bethune will still be blasted across the media the very next day. Just more exposure really, just something else to think about.

As for the continuation of killing whales, may well be. But Japan's already looking to cut a deal to scale their hunt in the Southern Ocean way back. Wonder why. Maybe it's because SSCS continues to bankrupt the whaling effort.

More publicity, more exposure, both for SSCS and the illegal killing of whales under the false guise of research. More exposure, more donations. More donations, more boats. More boats, fewer whales killed. How many more tv shows can SSCS land?

The only way to end an abhorrent practice like this is to bankrupt it. Money is all animal abusers/exploiters care about. The Canadian Seal Hunt is a good recent example, now in death throes not yet seen before. Which, btw, Sea Shepherd played a pivotal lead in. Seems they've been here before, one might think.

[BeFree]

10. Right into their hands

This skipper is one brave person. They sink his ship so he friggin climbs aboard and ... what's he do? Does he try to assassinate? No.

He serves his petition for justice.

Wish I knew him. I'd damn sure try to be his friend.