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Today, Peter Bethune was sentenced to 2 years in prison with a 5-year suspended
sentence for the crime of trespassing, vandalism, carrying a knife, obstructing
commercial activities, and assault.
The Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) and Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha welcomed the
verdict.
The verdict demonstrates that his actions put the lives of Japanese seamen at
risk and he committed a crime.
Bethune’s criminal actions were perpetrated in disregard of a statement adopted
at the IWC intersessional meeting in 2008, which called upon Sea Shepherd
Conservation Society to refrain from dangerous actions that jeopardize safety
at sea, and on its vessels and crews concerned to exercise restraint.
ICR and Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha strongly condemn the Sea Shepherd Conservation
Society dangerous and violent actions against Japan’s whale research vessels
and crews in the Antarctic and demand that they are stopped immediately.
ICR and Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha call on the Netherlands, which provides Sea
Shepherd vessels with a flag, and Australia, which provides Sea Shepherd
with port facilities, to take action to stop further criminal acts being
committed by this group.
We strongly request that these countries observe their international
obligations and deal with the Sea Shepherd in a strict and objective manner.
ENDS
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