"His morale is high. He's a person who is incredibly strong. Paul wants to use this opportunity in jail to speak out about sharks and their need to be protected. As Paul has said many times, if the oceans die, we die," said Sea Shepherd Peter Hammarstedt earlier today.
Hammarstedt has been with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society for more than 21 years. Today, he and other Sea Shepherd team members are facing an incredible uphill battle as German officials have decided to move forward with the extradition process that will send the organization's founder, Captain Paul Watson to Costa Rica to face criminal charges.
With less than 24 hours left, Sea Shepherd is asking for any and every supporter of the organization to contact German officials to help change their minds and free Watson from jail. Watson goes before German officials in court again tomorrow (Wednesday, May 16).
According to Sea Shepherd, the incident that led to Watson's arrest this week dates back to 2002 when team members were asked by the Guatemalen government to stop a Costa Rican ship from shark finning. Hammarstedt says crew members on this ship turned the tables, claiming that Sea Shepherd tried to kill them. Sea Shepherd says the video they shot to film Sharkwater shows nothing of the kind. (portions of the video included with this article.)
Although a warrant went out for Watson's arrest, Costa Rica did not move forward to have him arrested in 2002. However, in October 2011, a warrant for Watson's arrest was re-issued. Today Paul remains behind bars in Germany with the next step having him extradited to Costa Rica.
Sea Shepherd members are asking all supporters of the organization to contact German officials at the Ministry of Justice to request they step in and overturn their decision. Hammarstedt says he and the Sea Shepherd team members are not thinking about the 'what ifs' that may face Watson if he is put in the hands of Costa Rican officials. Hammarstedt says they would, of course fear for his right to a fair trial, and more importantly, they would fear for Watson's safety.For now, all efforts are focused on getting as many people as possible to contact the German Federal Minister of Justice.
Sea Shepherd is asking that anyone contacting the German government be respectful in his or her communication. They ask that people contact the Federal Minister of Justice, Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger by email or phone to ask that Watson be freed from jail as the warrant for his arrest is "politically motivated and thus should be ignored by the German government."
Contact:
Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, Federal Minister of Justice
Telephone 030 - 227 751 62
Fax 030 - 227 764 02
E-Mail: sabine.leutheusser-schnarrenberger@bundestag.de
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