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Authorities in Greenland reported the arrest of prominent environmental activist Paul Watson, known for his staunch opposition to whaling, under an international arrest warrant issued by Japan.
Watson, 73, holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States and is recognized as the former leader of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His organization has employed controversial direct action strategies, including high-seas confrontations aimed at stopping whaling activities, which have gained attention from various celebrities and were prominently featured in the television series Whale Wars.
The arrest occurred on Sunday, as Watson’s vessel arrived in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, as reported by local police.
Following his apprehension, the Captain Paul Watson Foundation announced that he would remain in custody in Nuuk until at least August 15. This period will allow the Danish justice system, under which Greenland operates as an autonomous territory, to review his case and the potential for extradition. Watson faces serious legal consequences, including a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison in Japan, as indicated by the foundation.
According to the foundation, the Greenlandic court deemed Watson a flight risk, resulting in the denial of bail.
Prominent U.S.-Canadian anti-whaling activist arrested in Greenland
Paul Watson, a prominent figure in the fight against whaling, was apprehended while on a mission to challenge Japanese whalers. He is the founder of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation and is now facing possible extradition to Japan, where he is wanted for his efforts to obstruct whaling operations.
Watson on mission to stop Japanese whaling ship
The Captain Paul Watson Foundation detailed a scene in which over a dozen police officers boarded Watson’s vessel and took him into custody as the ship paused for refueling. The vessel was reportedly carrying 25 volunteer crew members and was on its way to the North Pacific.
Plans for the voyage included navigating the Northwest Passage to confront a newly built Japanese factory ship, which the foundation referred to as “a murderous enemy devoid of compassion and empathy, bent on destroying the most intelligent self-aware sentient beings in the sea.”
The foundation noted that the arrest stemmed from a prior Red Notice related to Watson’s previous anti-whaling efforts in the Antarctic region.
While Japan’s Coast Guard and foreign ministry have not officially confirmed any discussions regarding Watson’s extradition, the Coast Guard mentioned that they are prepared to respond if a handover is ordered.
Notably, Japan lacks an extradition treaty with Denmark, leaving the timeline for Watson’s potential extradition uncertain.
In a statement, Locky MacLean, director of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, urged the Danish government to release Watson, claiming that the warrant represents a politically motivated pursuit.
Watson has been arrested before
This incident is not Watson’s first encounter with the law stemming from his confrontational tactics. He was previously arrested in Germany in 2012 under a Costa Rican extradition warrant but fled after discovering that Japan was also seeking his extradition, accusing him of jeopardizing the lives of whalers during operations in the Antarctic.
Watson, who departed from Sea Shepherd in 2022 to form his own organization, also has a history with Greenpeace, where he was a major figure until his departure in 1977 due to disagreements over their more conventional methods.
Source
www.cbc.ca