RAINBOW WARRIOR II RAIDED BY JAPANESE POLICE

21 July 2000

Okinawa / Amsterdam --- Forty Japanese policemen in riot gear have raided today the Greenpeace flag-ship Rainbow Warrior at 00h30 local time (15h30 GMT) and are currently onboard. The Japanese Coast guard is also onboard to inspect the vessel, while a MSI vessel alongside has attached its mooring lines to the Greenpeace vessel.
The Rainbow Warrior has been "suspended"and is not allowed to leave dock for two days.At this stage it is unclear if the police will arrest the entire crew and confiscate the ship or if they will leave after the raid. The Rainbow Warrior is currently berthed at berth 31, in NAGA, SHINKO, on the island of Okinawa. The Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior attempted this morning to deliver 8 logs from Russian forests to
G-8 leaders to highlight the elevated rate of illegal and destructive logging that continues to occur throughout the world’s last remaining ancient forests.
Four Greenpeace activists had been arrested after this peaceful protest and are still in jail. They should be brought in front of the prosecutor on Sunday 23rd July, but it is unclear if they will be kept in custody for .

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
- Gina Sanchez, Greenpeace Communication, in Okinawa, mobile +81 90 22 54 23 88
- Luisa Colasimone, Greenpeace Communication, Amsterdam, mobile +31 6 21 29 69 20
- Michelle Sheather, Greenpeace International Campaigner onboard the Rainbow Warrior, mobile +81 90 22543326