Greenpeace Co-Founder Paul Watson Arrested in Greenland
Anti-whaling campaigner and Greenpeace co-founder Paul Watson has been arrested in Greenland on an international warrant from Japan. Watson faces possible extradition for violent altercations with Japanese whalers over a decade ago. His foundation called the arrest politically motivated and urged his release.
Anti-whaling campaigner and Greenpeace co-founder Paul Watson was arrested in Greenland on Sunday on an international warrant issued by Japan.
Watson, sought by Tokyo for over a decade due to violent altercations with local whalers, was taken into custody after his ship docked for resupply.
The 73-year-old activist now faces possible extradition to Japan, pending a district court's decision.
The Captain Paul Watson Foundation condemned the extradition request as politically motivated and urged the Danish government to release him.
Watson was reportedly in the middle of a campaign to intercept the Kangei Maru, a newly-built Japanese whaling ship.
The arrest is linked to a Red Notice issued by Japan in 2012 for incidents involving a Japanese whaling vessel in 2010, which the Foundation claims was reinstated quietly.
Japan, having resigned from the International Whaling Commission, continues commercial whaling, arguing its cultural significance.
Watson, sought by Tokyo for over a decade due to violent altercations with local whalers, was taken into custody after his ship docked for resupply.
The 73-year-old activist now faces possible extradition to Japan, pending a district court's decision.
The Captain Paul Watson Foundation condemned the extradition request as politically motivated and urged the Danish government to release him.
Watson was reportedly in the middle of a campaign to intercept the Kangei Maru, a newly-built Japanese whaling ship.
The arrest is linked to a Red Notice issued by Japan in 2012 for incidents involving a Japanese whaling vessel in 2010, which the Foundation claims was reinstated quietly.
Japan, having resigned from the International Whaling Commission, continues commercial whaling, arguing its cultural significance.