Holland (May 26th, 1997) - Captain Paul Watson, Greenpeace co-founder and President of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, prevailed in the first stage of his court challenge against a Norwegian extradition request when two of the more serious charges against Watson were dismissed by Presiding Judge Van der Pijl.

"This means that Watson cannot be extradited for his alleged 'reckless navigating' nor his alleged 'illegal entry to Norwegian waters'", said Sea Shepherd's European counsel Victor Koppe, who is representing Paul Watson during the hearing. "The Dutch court wants to take a short period of time now to reach a consensus on all the other arguements surrounding this case."

Paul Watson, a vehement critic of illegal Norwegian whale hunting, was detained in Holland on April 2nd, 1997, because Norway issued an Interpol warrant for his arrest. "Apparently Norway thinks it's a crime to be actively opposed to the illegal killing of whales," added Bob Hunter, a co-founder of Greenpeace who is interim Acting President of Sea Shepherd during the trial, "I guess that would make most citizens of the world criminals in the eyes of Norwegian whaling interests."

"The decision by the court today leaves only the minor allegation of 'sending a false distress signal' open for debate," said Lisa Distefano, International Operations Director for Sea Shepherd, "And even if he's found guilty of that charge, the public will be reminded that Norwegian commandos dropped four depth charges, fired upon our boat with 50mm cannons and sheared off the bow of our ship by ramming us in that incident. The Dutch court will make a ruling on this charge within 14 days - and in that time Captain Watson will have already served over 60 days in prison on predominantly false charges." (In Holland, Canada, the US and most European nations, sending a false distress signal is only penalised by a moderate monetary fine, not with a gaol sentence.)

"This initial verdict effectively means that the Norwegian government has just been rebuffed for sending a trite and insignificant extradition order to Holland. We are relieved that the court has recognised the threats against Paul's life emanating from Norway. This is clearly a victory for Paul and everyone else opposed to the Norwegian whale slaughter," Distefano said.

While praising the Dutch courts for their preliminary decision, Sea Shepherd is still concerned that the additional deliberation period may mean that the Norwegian government is busy lobbying the Dutch Government with political incentives to extradite Watson. "If Paul is sent to Norway even under these circumstances, it will become clear that this has become a political decision, not one based on fair judicial process," Says Distefano, "Just two weeks ago Norway sent 37 whaling boats to engage in their annual illicit and illegal whale slaughter for commercial purposes. It is time we put the spotlight back on the real criminals."