Anti-whaling activist has 'no regrets' as his trial begins in Tokyo

[Ed Barrow]

Source: The Guardian

The battle between Japan and anti-whaling activists will be played out in a Tokyo courtroom today with the start of the trial of Peter Bethune, who was arrested after clambering aboard a Japanese whaling ship earlier this year.

Bethune, of the Sea Shepherd marine conservation group, faces five charges: trespass, assault, illegal possession of a knife, destruction of property and obstruction of business. These crimes carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

Dan Harris, a Sea Shepherd lawyer who visited Bethune in detention yesterday, said the activist was "unbelievably well. He's in really good spirits, very healthy and excited about having the opportunity to explain himself to the world."

Harris said prosecutors were expected to demand a jail sentence of between two and a half and three years. "We are far more optimistic," he said. "Our focus is on getting Pete out of Japan as quickly as possible."


Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/27/sea-shepherd-whaling-activist-court-tokyo

[joeybee12]

1. And he shouldn't...n/t

[ProgressiveProfessor]

8. He may after some time in a Japanese jail

There a not happy places, especially for a gajin

[Catherina]

2. These anti-whaling activists are heroes of the highest order n/t

[voteearlyvoteoften]

3. Thank you Sea Shepherd

We need you in the gulf to obstruct the drillers and save the whale sharks.
Best of luck.

[kristopher]

4. Japanese prosecutors have a 99%+ conviction rate.

Japanese prosecutors have a 99%+ conviction rate; and their sentencing requests are almost always honored by the courts. The practice of trial by jury is only now being tepidly tested so Bethune is almost certainly being tried by a judge or panel of judges.

[MrMickeysMom]

5. Are there similar international issues like this, though?

This may be more of a bully pulpit for showcasing the unbelievable whale kills going on.

Every time I'd see "Whale Wars", my blood would boil. Many people haven't had that opportunity, so I can see how this would "bring it on".

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. Showcase? Not in a Japanese court

[MrMickeysMom]

12. You mean to say there is no way a camera will capture this?

Pardon my ignorance, but I'm imagining that it would be easy to get the audio and video.

Not a chance?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

17. It won't be allowed to be brought up

If he tries, he will be silenced

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. Based on an article I read, its a 3 judge panel. IMO he will get some jail time

Japanese jails are no fun, especially for foreigners. Hopefully his high visibility will mean he does not get treated as badly as other gajin have.

[wuushew]

9. What do you base that on?

Have you served time in a Japanese prison? Japan < U.S. :shrug:

[ProgressiveProfessor]

10. I know several who have. Number of stories out there as well.

Very very rigid. Massive punishment for any rules violation, real or imagined. The intent is to break you. They do not believe in rehabilitation in the least. The Japanese are also very racist.

[kristopher]

11. If I had to choose

I'd rather a Japanese prison than one in the US. It is strict and extremely austere but my understanding is that brutality by guards isn't a problem nor, since there is no communal time with other inmates, is there a threat of violence from other prisoners.

I have no personal experience, but I got to know a couple of guys with lots of tattoos at a pub I used to frequent and from what I recall (15+ years ago) they felt the lack of socializing and the austerity are the hardest things to take. Things like more than one blanket in an unheated cell are considered luxuries and must be provided by people on the outside.

If Bethune is incarcerated his Embassy will watch over him.

[petronius]

14. I'm a bit surprised it's going to trial - I thought the Japanese would sweep it away by

expelling him from the country or something.

It looks like he'll get his day in court and his martyrdom (not the fatal kind, obviously) - I hope it's worth it to him...

[flvegan]

13. Bethune will forever be regarded as a hero for the animals.

And the apologists (even those in this thread) can't take that from him.

I'm glad to hear he's doing well and in good spirits. Looking forward to the trial.

[Devil_Fish]

15. If Bethune goes to jail, and the captain of the Shonan Maru 2 is not even questioned for sinking the

Ady Gil then the Sea Shepards should outfit their ships, the Bob Barker, and the Steve Irawin, With forward battering rams below the water line made of solid steal and just run the whalers down next year. When asked the Sea Shepards can simply say that they Walers got in their way, and were herassing the Sea Shepards as they were carrying out their buisness of Whale Watching.

[kristopher]

16. Here is a NZ article discussing that aspect of the issue.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/asia/3742220/Anti-whaling-activist-to-be-humble-before-Japanese-court

[ProgressiveProfessor]

18. Different venues with different levels of authority

Maritime law is fairly complex and authority is at times vague. Look at the investigations into Titanic and the differing results. However the rules about unauthorized boarding are much clearer. Bethune knew the risks but in the past the whalers have returned prisoners caught boarding under political pressure. Apparently not this time. It would have been smart to throw the knife overboard at the very least.

Outfitting the SSCS ships as you suggest would require the SSCS ships be dry docked to install them, so there existence would be well known. Direct attacks like you advocate would cost the SSCS vessels their national flags. Even Watson is not that stupid. It would also allow for direct military action by the Japanese Navy and would be the end of the SSCS fleet. Is that what you really want?