Ibragim Todashev’s body lands in Moscow
Costa Rica’s reminder of claim to Interpol for the arrest of Paul Watson was satisfied. The "ecological pirate" had escaped from house arrest in Germany. Watson’s reasons for escape are clear enough: he has time and again expressed his fears that he was wanted not only by the Latin American authorities, but by the mafia as well. Costa Rican Prosecutor Laura Monje believes that these fears are unfounded.
"I do not understand on what grounds Mr. Watson makes his statements. He is not a person connected with the organized crime, who can be subject to threats. In our opinion, there is no possibility that he will run the danger of any risk he is speaking about. Of course, prison is not a church. Prisoners in Costa Rica, like in any other country in the world, are people who violated the law. That is why they were put into prison. Nevertheless, his life is not in danger. If it turns out that there is any danger, and they are able to prove it, then the competent authorities, in this case - the Ministry of Justice, will take all necessary measures to guarantee his safety in prison. However, we know nothing about any threats so far."
This summer, while still in Germany, Watson met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica and tried to explain his concerns about the return to the country. He was sure that he was wanted by the mafia, because his of many years’ activities interfered with their illegal fisheries, and forced them to lose millions of dollars. In his exclusive interview with the Voice of Russia, Watson told about this meeting: "I told him that I was willing to appear before the court, if they annul the extradition and appoint the date. This day I will arrive with my film and my witnesses; I have the proof, and I have nothing to be afraid of. And if I am extradited, that is, brought to Costa Rica in handcuffs, they might keep me in prison for a year before appointing the date of the hearings. And can you think of a better place to kill me? He refused to do it. I don't think that they want a trial, what they need is an execution."
According to Laura Monje, Watson’s detention and extradition on the ground of a ten-year-old case has two objectives: it guarantees the presence of the accused at the trial and the execution of a sentence. "Watson knew that legal proceedings were launched against him, and that his whereabouts should be known so that he was present at the trail. But he escaped. That is why an arrest warrant with the view of his extradition was requested in Germany earlier. Now the execution of this warrant is postponed till his future arrest"- says Monje.
Let's remind, that on August 7, Interpol toughened measures concerning Paul Watson’s detention and issued a Red Notice for his arrest. Now, each of the 190 countries-members of Interpol is obliged to carry out all the instructions regarding search, arrest and extradition of Paul Watson. Watson’s violation of his written cognizance not to leave Germany served as the reason for this decision.
