Police in Iceland have decided not to seek pre-trial detention for the 21 members of the Bandero, a vessel operated by the Paul Watson Foundation. Earlier, the crew attempted to disrupt a commercial whaling ship.
The group were arrested on Thursday evening after trying to interfere with the voyage of the whaling vessel Hvalur 9. The Icelandic Coast Guard took control of the Bandero that night and brought it to Reykjavík harbour on Friday.
What’s the Story?
Original source: RÚV
- Police have not requested pre-trial detention for the Bandero crew.
- The Icelandic Transport Authority has revoked the vessel’s seaworthiness certificate.
- Police have submitted a request seeking the crew’s deportation and a re-entry ban.
Vessel Grounded
Assistant Chief of Police Ásgeir Þór Ásgeirsson confirmed that all 21 crew members were questioned on Friday, either aboard the Coast Guard vessel Freyja or at a police station.
Although they have not been remanded in custody, the crew have been ordered to remain aboard the Bandero until further decisions are made.
At the request of police, the Icelandic Transport Authority inspected the vessel on Friday and subsequently revoked its seaworthiness certification. As a result, the Bandero will not be permitted to leave port in the coming days.
Police have also submitted a report to the Directorate of Immigration requesting the deportation of the crew and a bar on re-entry to Iceland.
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