On Monday, January 18, Ric O'Barry, Founder/Director of Dolphin
Project was detained by Japanese immigration officials at Tokyo’s Narita
International Airport. After arriving into Tokyo at approximately 4:45 p.m.,
O’Barry was repeatedly interrogated and placed in a deportees’ facility, similar
to a jail, where he has been held for over 48 hours.
According to our
lawyer, Takashi Takano, O’Barry was told he couldn’t enter Japan on a tourist
visa as his tourist status was not “fully proven.” Officials also accused him of
making “The Cove” movie, which O'Barry denied.
Takano has filed a formal
objection, with the decision to allow O’Barry into the country or deport him to
be made by the Japanese government. Authorities have refused to provide Takano
with information to support their decision, and O’Barry’s refutal has not been
accepted. While he is detained for questioning every time he visits Japan,
nothing of this magnitude has ever happened before.
Ric O'Barry's
Dolphin Project is challenging the deportation, and funds for O'Barry's legal
defense are urgently needed. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. Japan
can no longer be allowed to hide what happens in Taiji. Dolphin Project is
immensely grateful for the outpouring of support for Ric and thank you for your
steadfast commitment to ending the hunts. |
