Arrest warrant issued for Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson

8 Aug 2012, 7:28 pm   -   Source: AFP
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Paul 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. (AAP)

Paul 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. (AAP)

Interpol has issued an international Red Notice for the arrest of fugitive eco-warrior Paul Watson, the founder of marine conservation group Sea Shepherd, after he skipped bail in Germany.

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Interpol has issued an international Red Notice for the arrest of fugitive eco-warrior Paul Watson, the founder of marine conservation group Sea Shepherd, after he skipped bail in Germany.
  
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.
  
"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.
  
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, a 61-year-old Canadian 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 a politically motivated attack led 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 in a statement on its website.
  
"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.'"
  
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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Your Comments

Watson and any others involved need to go to Costa Rica

Gort Newton - from Sydney, 9 months ago

Watson and any of his crew who may have committed any crimes need to be arrested, sent to Costa Rica and made to answer charges and clear their names if possible or if not then accept their punishment for any crimes that may or may not have been committed. Ramming vessels at sea is not legal, endangering life is not legal and that's where it stands. On the other issue of what Paul Watson is attempting to do then the rest of the world can decide on whether that is useful or not.

pathetic corruption within interpol only wants $$$$

David - from melbourne, 10 months ago

Trust Interpol to support illegal trades and a corrupt Japan who are the scum of the earth polluting the ocean with Fukushima waste and all their industrial sewerage. Japan like China are polluters of the Ocean and should be charged as criminals. Typical how authorities support the pirates scum of the world!

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