Paul Watson faces extradition request from Japan

Japan wants to stop Paul Watson at all costs, who has long fought against whaling. After the arrest in Greenland, the Japanese state requested extradition from the Danish government, which declared its intention to carefully evaluate the request

There seems to be no respite for Paul Watson, the former leader of the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd, who has long fought to stop whale hunting. Japan is not backing down and has requested Watson’s extradition from Denmark following his arrest in Greenland on July 21.

Background of the case

The story dates back several years. In 2010, the Japanese Coast Guard obtained an arrest warrant for Paul Watson, accusing him of organizing forced obstructions to their whale hunting research. They also placed him on a worldwide wanted list through the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO).

Greenlandic police, operating in the autonomous territory of Denmark, arrested Watson on July 21 while he was traveling by sea to the North Pacific on a mission to again obstruct the operations of a Japanese whaling mother ship.

Paul Watson is a Canadian activist and environmentalist, known for founding and leading the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. This organization is dedicated to the protection and conservation of marine resources and oceanic wildlife.

Connection to previous charges

This arrest is believed to be linked to a previous Red Notice issued for Watson’s pro-whale activities in Antarctica. However, it comes as a surprise since the Foundation’s lawyers had reported that the notice had been withdrawn.

The Danish Ministry of Justice informed NHK that they received a formal extradition request from the Japanese government on July 31 and intend to carefully evaluate the request.

Opposition to extradition

There are growing calls against Watson’s extradition, especially from anti-whaling countries. An online petition is circulating to demand his release, advocating for the freedom of a 73-year-old man whose sole “crime” has been dedicating his life to the protection of oceans and whales.

A custody hearing is scheduled in Greenland for August 15, pending Denmark’s decision on the extradition request.