Sonnabend
04-02-2010, 08:22 AM
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/charges-against-sea-shepherd-captain-are-bogus-say-activists/story-e6frfku0-1225849009807
ANTI-whaling activist Captain Pete Bethune has been made a political prisoner in Japan with the laying of extra "bogus" charges against him, says the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The New Zealander, in custody in Tokyo after illegally boarding a Japanese whaling vessel, the Shonan Maru No.2, was initially charged only with trespass after his arrest last month.
But the Japan Coast Guard has now laid four more charges of assault, illegal possession of a knife, destruction of property and obstruction of business.
Intention to assault captain of a foreign flag ship .Possession of a weapon when boarding a foreign flag ship in international waters. Guess what....carrying a knife under Japanese law is illegal :D
Destruction of property: he sliced a net apart.
He guilty :D
"These charges are bogus, and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society questions the credibility of the entire Japanese judicial system for entertaining such absurdities," Sea Shepherd's Jeff Hansen said in a statement. "Sea Shepherd expected Captain Bethune to face a trespassing charge; this does not come as a surprise. But all additional charges are being made for purely political reasons," Mr Hansen, the society's Australian director, said.And if Bethune was found on a Sydney street, carrying a knife, he'd be under arrest here too.
The charges against Pete Bethune, captain of the Ady Gil, relate to his boarding of the Shonan Maru in the Southern Ocean on February 15. Mr Hansen said Captain Bethune was aboard the Ady Gil when it was run over and literally cut in two by the Shonan Maru No. 2 on January 6. "Captain Bethune's response was to board that vessel at the next opportunity so he could confront face-to-face the captain responsible for this horrendous act," Mr Hansen said....without permission and in violation of both maritime and international law.
"This is an embarrassment to the Japanese criminal justice system, a further slap in the face to the international community and proof that Japan will continue to do what it wants regardless of international law or public opinion," he said.Yup...I WUV the Japanese. Not afraid to give environazis the finger
"Illegal whaling operations in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and the detention of a political prisoner: these things clearly reflect the blatant abuse of and political corruption within Japan's domestic judicial system." The Japan Coast Guard alleged Captain Bethune injured some of the crew by throwing bottles of highly acidic chemicals at the Japanese ship but the Sea Shepherd group said the projectiles were rancid butter stink bombs.Not illegal. Japan didnt sign the sanctuary treaty. Tough.
Greens leader Senator Bob Brown also released a statement today saying it was unjust that Captain Bethune was facing up to 15 years in a Japanese jail. "It is Japanese whalers who should be facing charges under Australian law for endangering lives, not Sea Shepherd captain Pete Bethune," Senator Brown said.Go ahead and press charges...we could use a good laugh.
"It is absolutely unjust that Captain Pete Bethune is facing up to 15 years in prison in Japan." He said the Australian Federal Police were investigating an official complaint by Sea Shepherd over the ramming and sinking of the Ady Gil.He's right, it is unujust...make it thirty years :D
"Under Australian law the captain of the Shonan Maru 2 should be tried and face life imprisonment for his actions, which endangered the lives of six people," Senator Brown saidExcept he a/ wasnt in Australian waters./ b/ Bethune is responsible for the crash and c/ Brown is full of it.
ANTI-whaling activist Captain Pete Bethune has been made a political prisoner in Japan with the laying of extra "bogus" charges against him, says the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The New Zealander, in custody in Tokyo after illegally boarding a Japanese whaling vessel, the Shonan Maru No.2, was initially charged only with trespass after his arrest last month.
But the Japan Coast Guard has now laid four more charges of assault, illegal possession of a knife, destruction of property and obstruction of business.
Intention to assault captain of a foreign flag ship .Possession of a weapon when boarding a foreign flag ship in international waters. Guess what....carrying a knife under Japanese law is illegal :D
Destruction of property: he sliced a net apart.
He guilty :D
"These charges are bogus, and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society questions the credibility of the entire Japanese judicial system for entertaining such absurdities," Sea Shepherd's Jeff Hansen said in a statement. "Sea Shepherd expected Captain Bethune to face a trespassing charge; this does not come as a surprise. But all additional charges are being made for purely political reasons," Mr Hansen, the society's Australian director, said.And if Bethune was found on a Sydney street, carrying a knife, he'd be under arrest here too.
The charges against Pete Bethune, captain of the Ady Gil, relate to his boarding of the Shonan Maru in the Southern Ocean on February 15. Mr Hansen said Captain Bethune was aboard the Ady Gil when it was run over and literally cut in two by the Shonan Maru No. 2 on January 6. "Captain Bethune's response was to board that vessel at the next opportunity so he could confront face-to-face the captain responsible for this horrendous act," Mr Hansen said....without permission and in violation of both maritime and international law.
"This is an embarrassment to the Japanese criminal justice system, a further slap in the face to the international community and proof that Japan will continue to do what it wants regardless of international law or public opinion," he said.Yup...I WUV the Japanese. Not afraid to give environazis the finger
"Illegal whaling operations in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and the detention of a political prisoner: these things clearly reflect the blatant abuse of and political corruption within Japan's domestic judicial system." The Japan Coast Guard alleged Captain Bethune injured some of the crew by throwing bottles of highly acidic chemicals at the Japanese ship but the Sea Shepherd group said the projectiles were rancid butter stink bombs.Not illegal. Japan didnt sign the sanctuary treaty. Tough.
Greens leader Senator Bob Brown also released a statement today saying it was unjust that Captain Bethune was facing up to 15 years in a Japanese jail. "It is Japanese whalers who should be facing charges under Australian law for endangering lives, not Sea Shepherd captain Pete Bethune," Senator Brown said.Go ahead and press charges...we could use a good laugh.
"It is absolutely unjust that Captain Pete Bethune is facing up to 15 years in prison in Japan." He said the Australian Federal Police were investigating an official complaint by Sea Shepherd over the ramming and sinking of the Ady Gil.He's right, it is unujust...make it thirty years :D
"Under Australian law the captain of the Shonan Maru 2 should be tried and face life imprisonment for his actions, which endangered the lives of six people," Senator Brown saidExcept he a/ wasnt in Australian waters./ b/ Bethune is responsible for the crash and c/ Brown is full of it.