3/28/23, 11:38 AM New Zealand Police : Operation Wharf - Rainbow Warrior bombing

Major Alain Mafart Captain Dominique Prieur

On Monday 4 November 1985, Major Alain Mafart and Captain Dominique Prieur
appeared in the Auckland District Court for the start of a deposition hearing after
earlier pleading Not Guilty to the charges of arson, conspiring to commit arson
and murder. Recently refurbished, the ornate old Auckland High Court building
was selected for the trial.

In front of the public and assembled journalists from a variety of countries Mafart
and Prieur dramatically changed their pleas. Stunned, those present listened as
they entered Guilty pleas, not only to arson, but also to a reduced charge of
manslaughter. The case of the century, predicted to last weeks and to cost
thousands of dollars, was over within half an hour. The Solicitor General Mr Paul
Neazor, Q.C., indicated to Judge Gilbert that the Crown was prepared to accept a
plea on the lesser charge of manslaughter as, with the evidence available it could
not be established that Mafart and Prieur were personally responsible for the
placing of the explosive devices on the Rainbow Warrior, nor that they intended
anyone should be killed or injured.

On Friday, 22 November Mafart and Prieur again appeared in the Auckland High
Court and were sentenced to ten years imprisonment on the charge of
manslaughter and seven years imprisonment on the charge of arson. In
delivering judgement the Chief Justice Sir Ronald Davison gave a clear indication
of his feelings on the possibilty of early deportation stating "People who come to
this country and commit terrorist activities cannot expect to have a short holiday
at the expense of our Government and return home as heroes".

The Rainbow Warrior was refloated on 21 August 1985 and transported to

Devonport Naval base in Auckland for detailed examination where a close analysis
resulted in the reluctant decision by Greenpeace to scuttle the vessel, the
damage being too extensive to repair.

Six months after the bombing Auckland Police staff were still working to locate
and bring to trial those persons who attached the actual devices to the ill-fated
Rainbow Warrior.

Jean-Michel Barcelo Roland Verge Gerard Andries Xavier Christian Manquet

Pictured above are the four French men who travelled on the Ouvea. The
identities of those responsible for placing the explosive devices on the Rainbow
Warrior have not been officially established.

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