A volunteer for an animal and environmental protection organization remains in Japanese custody after his arrest during a mission to photograph dolphin capture and slaughter last month, according to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s website.
The group reports that Dutch citizen and Sea Shepherd Cove Guardian Erwin Vermeulen faces up to two years in prison and fines on a charge of assault for allegedly pushing a marine mammal trainer—an accusation he strongly denies—while he tried to document the transfer of a wild dolphin to the Dolphin Resort Hotel in the Taiji area of Wakayama Prefecture.
One of Vermeulen’s last Facebook posts on December 15 includes a photograph of several dolphins with the description: “Taiji: Confirmed numbers from today's slaughter of Risso's: 7 killed and 3 taken for a life in captivity. A bloody week in Taiji #Tweet4Taiji. These are the first 8 driven into the cove today.” [Article continues below advertisement.]
Vermeulen was arrested the next day, December 16.
“The prosecution plans to take this case to open court and hold a trial,” states Sea Shepherd Founder Captain Paul Watson in an appeal for donations to help with Vermeulen’s legal expenses. “The anticipated trial date is January 25th. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has retained a reputable law firm and we are confident in Erwin’s defense.”
Vermeulen's supporters request signatures on petititions to authorities:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/free-sea-shepherd-activist/
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/freecoveguardianerwin/
For more information/comments:
Please note: Japanese authorities could not be reached for comment at the time of this post. Please check this page again for their possible responses.
Comments