Extradition-wary Watson jumps bail

LOS ANGELES — Paul Watson, head of antiwhaling group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, has left Germany following his release on bail, fearing extradition to Japan, the group said Wednesday.

The whereabouts of Watson, who was arrested in Germany in May on a Costa Rican arrest warrant on suspicion of hindering shark catches in 2002, is not known. He was granted bail on condition that he would not leave Germany.

"German legal counsel for Capt. Paul Watson has confirmed the marine conservationist has departed Germany and is in an undisclosed location," the group's statement said, adding it has "no further information" and is "not in touch with him."

It said Watson, 61, had concerns that once he was transferred to Costa Rica, Japan might seek his extradition over charges related to obstructing Japan's "illegal whaling activities in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary."

The Japan Coast Guard put him on an international wanted list in 2010 for obstructing the navigation of a monitoring ship involved in Japan's whale hunt. Interpol canceled Japan's move earlier this year on the grounds that the requirements for an international arrest warrant had not been fulfilled.