NZ anti-whaling campaigner handed to Japanese prosecuters

Last Updated: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:40:00 +1100

A New Zealand anti-whaling campaigner, who boarded a Japanese whaling ship in the Southern Ocean, has been handed over to prosecutors in Japan.

Peter Bethune was detained when he tried to carry out a citizen's arrest on the ship's captain.

Mr Bethune has been charged with trespassing and could face up to three years in jail, or a US$1,200 fine.

Mr Bethune met with lawyers on Friday, shortly after he arrived in Tokyo aboard the whaling ship, Shonanmaru 2.

He boarded the ship last month in protest after his boat, the Ady Gil, was sunk when the two vessels collided in the Southern Ocean.

This is the first time Japanese authorities have arrested a member of the Sea Shepherd Society.

Anti-Whaling Activists are pressuring the Australian government to intervene.

The New Zealand government has offered consular assistance.