Paul Watson of Whale Wars has been arrested in Greenland — and might be extradited to Japan.
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On X, the Captain Paul Watson Foundation (CPWF) shared a video explaining that Paul Watson was arrested in Nuuk, Greenland by Danish federal police. According to the post, authorities boarded the M/Y John Paul DeJoria once it docked.
The video shows Paul being arrested “due to an international arrest order from Japan,” authorities said. “It is believed that this arrest is connected to a previous Red Notice issued for Watson’s anti-whaling activities in the Antarctic.”
“This development comes as a surprise since the Foundation’s lawyers had reported that the Red Notice had been withdrawn. However, it appears that Japan had made the notice confidential to facilitate Paul’s travel for the purpose of making an arrest.”
Paul Watson of ‘Whale Wars’ Arrested in Greenland, Possibly Extradited to Japan
According to the CPWF, Japan seized Antarctic high-seas whaling eight years ago. Now, they only hunt whales within their own territory. However, the CPWF believes they’ll resume in the Southern Ocean and North Pacific by 2025.
Additionally, the foundation “believes the reactivation of the Red Notice against Captain Watson is politically motivated, coinciding with the launch of the new factory ship.”
“Paul is currently in custody, and it is unclear if Denmark will extradite him to Japan,” the CPWF continued. However, the longer Paul stays in Denmark, the more likely he will be extradited to Tokyo.
“We need Paul released immediately!” the foundation wrote on X. “We urge the Danish government to release Paul and reject this politically motivated request.”
The CPWF encouraged followers to share the post online and reach out to their local Danish embassy or consultant to help free Paul.
“This is outrageous,” one person wrote on X. “Shame on you Denmark @denmarkinuk.”
Another added, “Japan doesn’t respect the laws of the sea. Therefore no country should respect this arrest order.”