MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Maya V Crew Arrest Conditions Lightened

Bail surety to ensure crew alleged to be involved in pirate toothfishing aboard the Maya V did not flee the country, was lessened yesterday by an Australian Court.

The decision was made by Magistrate Tarr in the Perth Magistrate's court after pleas of financial hardship by the crew.

Lawyer for the crew Phillip Laskaris argued successfully that a bail of $AUD 5000 each for the 35 men, set on February 12 in the same court, had meant the men were being held in a high security prison for a charge that would not involve imprisonment.

Mr Laskaris tended documents regarding the crew's financial position to following criticism by a former Magistrate regarding scant details about the 35 men's true financial position.

But Amber Goddard, for the Commonwealth of Australia, said the men may still go to prison if they are convicted and cannot pay their fines.

Mr Laskaris said he believed his clients would be found innocent.

But Ms Goddard re-iterated to the Court that the Crown had a strong case against the crew and the senior officers apprehended by the Australian Navy after being found in the United Nations recognised Australian Fishing Zone around McDonald and Heard Island in the remote Southern Ocean.

It is understood to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority that at least 10 of the men met reduced bail of $AUD 2000 late yesterday afternoon from money deposited in a trust account.

Mr Laskaris during the hearing said it appeared as if the Australian Government had an ulterior motive in keeping the men from making bail - to send a warning message to other fishing crews internationally.

Ms Goddard refuted the allegation as nonsense to the court and said the Commonwealth was merely meeting the requirements conditions of the Australian court system's bail act.

By Peter Collins - Perth