Japan to release Australian anti-whaling activists

Sidney (CNS) -- Three Australian anti-whaling activists in Japanese custody will be released to an Australian customs ship in a high-seas transfer and will not face any charges, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Tuesday.

The three Australians illegally boarded a Japanese whaler and were detained by its crew last Sunday in the Indian Ocean and were likely to face a Japanese court.

Australian Attorney-General Nicola Roxon opposes Japan's so-called "whaling for scientific studies" within the Australian exclusive economic area, and has been trying to prevent it from happening by all means, including through the World Court in the Hague.

The Australian public had urged its government to protect the safety and rights of the three activists and reach an amicable settlement with the Japanese.