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.