Australia: Fishermen released after court fails to find translator (It gets better)

ABC News (Australia) ^ | May 19, 2005

[Stoat]

Fishermen released after court fails to find translator

Charges against nine Indonesian fishermen have been withdrawn in the Darwin Magistrates Court because an interpreter could not be found to translate their obscure sea-faring language.

Nine Indonesian fisherman were apprehended in the Australian fishing zone almost five nautical miles from the Ashmore Reef.

They have been in custody since late March.

But in court today all charges against the fishermen were withdrawn because an interpreter could not be found in Australia that spoke a discrete sea gypsy dialect, called bajo.

While only six of the fishermen spoke bajo the Crown Prosecutor said it would be unfair to only prosecute the three remaining men.

The fishermen will be flown back to Indonesia on a charter flight.

Charges against the skipper of the boat were withdrawn several weeks ago because he was a juvenile.

[Americanexpat]

"Sometimes Australians can be too generous in their actions."

At least they shipped their butts back to Indonesia. If that would have happened here they would have been released with a further court date and then got lost in a sanctuary city.

[Red Sea Swimmer]

Yes, the Aussies are pretty laid back and relaxed people, but they are very good at defending the Great Southern Land. Any group, of whatever political or religious persuasion, that seeks to undermine or invade the fair shores of Australia should remember that when pushed, Australians are fierce and brave fighters.

Long Live Australia !

[Route101]

I catcha the bigo fisho.....

[Route101]

...The fishermen will be flown back to Indonesia on a charter flight...the perfect storm.

[Hatteras]

"He no longer dreamed of storms, nor of women , nor of great occurrences, nor of great fish, nor fights, nor contests of strength, nor of his wife. He only dreamed of places now and of the lions on the beach. They played like young cats in the dusk and he loved them as he loved the boy." - Hemingway