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Breaking News: Captain Pete Bethune is Free to Go Home!
Image Source: Flickr.
We all know of the ongoing feud between Sea Shepherd and the Japanese whalers. We all know that Captain Pete Bethune was arrested and put on trial, but none of the Japanese were (even though it was Bethune’s ship that was destroyed). And despite all the loyal Sea Shepherd supporters, we all expected the trial to turn for the worst.
Well, as it turns out, we were all wrong. Captain Peter Bethune is officially a free man–well, at least for 5 years.
Bethune received a 2 year jail sentence for obstructing the whaling fleet and for assault with the butyric acid bottles that Sea Shepherd uses to throw onto the Japanese ships. However, the sentence is suspended for 5 years. If he can stay out of trouble with Japanese authorities during that time, he will continue to be a free man and not have to go to jail at all. He is expected to return home to New Zealand this Saturday (at the latest).
This is certainly fantastic news and it should be noted that even though none of the Sea Shepherd crew attended any of the trial, it is because of them that he is able to walk free today. Apparently, they made a deal with Japan. What the terms of the deal all are, I don’t know, but it can be speculated that Bethune’s dismissal from future Sea Shepherd anti-whaling campaigns might have something to do with it; although he is allowed to be involved in other ways.
Needless to say, the crew and his family are extremely happy about the verdict. Even the New Zealand Green Party considers Bethune to be a hero.
The only question now is: Where will things go from here for Bethune, his ship, and the rest of the Sea Shepherd crew?
By Heidi Marshall
Tags: 2 year suspended jail sentence, breaking news, Captain Pete Bethune, free, going home, good news, Sea Shepherd, verdict, Whale Wars
15 Comments
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Pete,
I cannot believe how you placed yourself in danger and chose to stand up for yourself like you did and NOBODY else had the guts to do the same! Great job! We are proud of you and your accomplishments…SHAME SHAME SHAME on those Japanese whalers!!! Thank God you are back home with your family and your efforts helped save some whales. God Bless YOU!
inthestinkhole…are you serious? hes trying to stop something that they believe is completely wrong…they lie about everything is a lie in itself..the japs have lied this whole time your going to come on this site and bad mouth a man that did somthing you wouldnt have a guts to do. u just sit home and complain while real heros like the sea sheapards are out there doing things to save this planet before ppls like you and the japs completly ruin it…go get a liffe
I am extremely proud that there are people out there that actually care enough to try and stop whale hunting. Good job Sea Shepards! Your acts are not unnoticed.
They are glorified terrorists period. They do stupid mess all the time and endanger the lives of their own crew as well as the japs and yet achieve nothing. they lie about almost everything they do and waste money thats it. This idiot illegally boarded a vessel that was underway with what intention? to citizens arrest the captain. how stupid can you possibly be, really?
Pete Bethune stood up for what he believed in. Many people are willing to die for what they believe in. Whats living if you have nothing to die for afterall? I strongly support the Sea Sephards and everything they do. And i hope one day to join them
I think Pete and the entire crew of the sea shepard should get a Nobel prize for their efforts in trying to stop the killing.
Nice Job, Pete. Way to stick it to the Japanese man
My dad fought in WWII. From him, I already knew how brutal about life and stubborn without reason the Japanese people can be.Shame on them.,
Keith, Ohio
Most Excellent! You will always be remembered for the feat that you accomplished.
This guy was dumb. If you don’t like whaling fine, but don’t get fanatical about it. Sea Shepards take pride at ramming ships putting dozens of people’s life at danger and then they act all amazed that the whalers have decided to become aggressive back.
The line between stupidity and heroic is a very thin one. Sometimes you crossed it and not even knowing!
WAY TO STAND UP AND FIGHT PETE!! Myself and my family are proud of you and cant wait for you to get back out there and give em hell.
Way to go PETE!!! forget the 5years away from the whalers, GO GET’M AND STOP’M!!!
This Man is a Hero! forget your stance on whaling for a moment, his multi-million dollar ship what sunk by that Japanese ship (shonan maru #2) he had every right to confront the captain of the Japanese ship for his actions. the fact is japan OWES Captain Bethune restitution for its aggressive actions towards a carbon fiber boat with it’s multi ton steal hulled ship, unchecked we will see more destruction on the southern ocean, and i for one don’t think it will just be whale blood next time, god speed Sea Shepard, and welcome back home captain Pete
Great job Pete I wish I was by your side to whoop some *ss