1
Whaling Protester Says He Was Shot
Japanese vessel denies using bullets against activists
By Lucas Laursen
|
Posted Mar 7, 08 10:03 AM CST
|
Share
(Newser)
–
An anti-whaling activist says he was shot during a clash with a Japanese ship on the high seas, the Guardian reports. Japanese officials deny the allegations from the captain of the Sea Shepherd and say they fired only flash grenades, not bullets. Paul Watson, though, says he pulled one from his Kevlar vest.
"It bruised my shoulder but it would have hit my heart if I didn't have the vest," said Watson. In recent days, activists have raised tensions by tossing stink bombs onto the Japanese vessel as it hunts whales in the Southern Ocean. The Australian prime minister appealed for calm on both sides.