Peter Bethune Sea Shepherd, who boarded a Japanese whaling ship February, could face 15 years jail
The battle between Japan and anti-whaling activists will played out in Tokyo courtroom today start of trial of Peter Bethune, who was arrested after clambering aboard Japanese whaling ship earlier this year.
Bethune, Sea Shepherd marine conservation group, faces five charges: trespass, assault, illegal possession a knife, destruction property and obstruction business. These crimes carry a maximum penalty 15 years prison.
Dan Harris, Sea Shepherd lawyer who visited Bethune detention yesterday, said the activist was “unbelievably well. He’s really good spirits, very healthy and excited having the opportunity explain himself the world.”
Harris said prosecutors were expected demand jail sentence of between two half three years. “We far more optimistic,” he said. “Our focus getting Pete out of Japan as quickly as possible.
“He very proud his role reducing the whale catch and spreading the word about what really happening the Southern Ocean. He feels that whatever sentence he gets, it will have been worth it. He has no regrets.”
A verdict expected 10 June, with sentencing up to four weeks later, Harris said.
Bethune, 45-year-old New Zealander, was arrested after jumping on to Shonan Maru 2 February to protest against sinking previous month of Ady Gil, Sea Shepherd’s powerboat. The boat, which Bethune skippered, was sliced two during collision Japanese vessel and later sank.
Sea Shepherd had been using Ady Gil pursue and harass whaling fleet during its annual “research” whaling expedition Antarctic. The group regards Bethune as political prisoner.
“We taking the trial very seriously have confidence the Japanese system act fairly send Pete home,” said Jeff Hansen, Sea Shepherd’s director Australia. “It horrendous what he’s been through, so we hope Japan comes its senses exercises good judgment.”
Under cover of darkness, Bethune leaped the harpoon boat from jetski an attempt carry out citizen’s arrest of the captain present him $3m (£2.08m) bill for the loss of the powerboat. He was held board arrested 12 March when the ship returned Japan. He has been held at Tokyo detention centre ever since.
In an interview with New Zealand’s Sunday Star-Times, Bethune said he stood “a 95% chance” of being convicted and serving long prison term. He said he had been escorted more than 100 security guards when he was taken back to Shonan Maru 2 to re-enact boarding: “I had hood over me, like I’m psychopathic killer. It was bizarre.”
Hansen urged Australia New Zealand to increase pressure on Japan to end its culls the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary to secure Bethune’s release.
“I don’t think either government has done nearly enough Pete,” he said. “The Australian government promised two years ago stop whale hunts, yet we still have volunteers like Pete putting their lives line.
Recent years have been marked dangerous clashes high seas between whalers armed water cannon Sea Shepherd members, whose tactics include hurling parcels of rancid butter decks of whaling ships.
Japan claims Bethune was part butyric acid attack that left one whaler with burns his face. It has also issued an international warrant arrest Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd’s founder, endangering lives whaling crews masterminding attacks their ships.
Watson described Bethune as “prisoner war″, demanded that captain Shonan Maru 2 questioned over Ady Gil sinking.
The trial opens as International Whaling Commission prepares meet Morocco discuss a controversial proposal that would allow Japan, Norway and Iceland hunt a limited number whales commercially return reducing their catch over next decade.
The 1986 ban commercial whaling allows Japan kill whales “lethal research” sell meat open market. The leader whaling fleet blamed harassment Sea Shepherd activists after his crew returned last month about half its target catch 935 whales.
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