14 DAY TRIAL // Recent news informs us that, as far as Captain Paul Watson's conflict with several nations is concerned, things are beginning to escalate and lead to rather unexpected decisions.
Thus, the world's largest international police organization, the Interpol, just issued a 'red notice' for Sea Shepherd's leader and founder, apparently due to the fact that Costa Rica filed paperwork stating that Captain Watson needs be arrested and extradited to this country.
Conservationists working close with the Captain argue that what we now have before us is a politically motivated attack, which aims to take down both Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd organization itself.
Their official website reads as follows: “Legal counsel for Sea Shepherd states this is proof the falsified charges and Costa Rican warrant are politically motivated and the result of collusion between Costa Rica and Japan.”
Furthermore, Sea Shepherd's Administrative Director, Susan Hartland, goes as far as to claim that, “Costa Rica has been acting as a puppet for Japan throughout this case and we expect that to continue.”
“Japan is driving this effort in retaliation for our successful campaigns to stop them from whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. 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,” she also added.
Although the 'red notice' issued by the Interpol for Captain Paul Watson does not compel the organization's member nations to place the Sea Shepherd's leader under arrest should he happen to travel through their territory, it does offer significant backup for the arrest warrant already brought forth by the Costa Rican government.
As we already reported, Captain Paul Watson is accused of having tried to sink a vessel involved in illegal fishing activities, and is presently hiding in an undisclosed location.