Arrest warrant issued for Heroes star Hayden

Reuters

ARREST THAT GIRL: Japanese police have issued an arrest warrant for Heroes star Hayden Panettiere after her participation in a whale protest last month.

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Japanese police have issued an arrest warrant for Heroes star Hayden Panettiere, it has been reported.

Usmagazine.com reported the arrest warrant was issued for the "obstruction of commerce" after Panettiere participated in a whale hunt protest last month.

"I learned that they have an arrest warrant out for me in Japan," Panettiere confirmed to E! News.

"We just found out."

Panettiere, 18, had attempted to block a pod of whales from being led into a nearby cove with other activists - including Australian actor Isabel Lucas - in Taiji on October 30.

The whales are slaughtered by fishermen in what they say is a Japanese custom.

The website reported Panettiere had fled to the Japanese city of Osaka and left the country immediately after the protest to avoid arrest.

At the time, Panettiere said: "I couldn't believe how red the water was. The whales were so scared. Hopefully their deaths won't be in vain."

When E! asked Panettiere what the arrest warrant could mean for her, she quipped: "Potentially jail, but I doubt it."

Panettiere plays Clare Bennett, a character with the ability to heal from any injury, in the hit TV3 show Heroes.

- © Fairfax NZ News