Denmark’s Justice Ministry on Tuesday rejected a Japanese extradition request and released Canadian-American anti-whaling activist Paul Watson from a Greenland prison after five months in detention.
Watson, one of the world’s most famous anti-whaling activists, was detained in the port of Nuuk in Greenland this July 21 on an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol.
Although autonomous, Greenland has belonged to Denmark since 1953.
Originally a member of Greenpeace, Watson later founded the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, but was removed from its board after a series of international arrests. He established his own Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022.
Confrontational captain: Paul Watson denies Japan allegations
Japan’s arrest and extradition request stemmed from a 2010 incident in the Antarctic in which Watson was accused of damaging a whaling ship with explosives. Watson called the allegations “complete fabrications”, adding, “We never used explosives. We used stink bombs, which are quite harmless.”
Watson’s group said he could face up to 15 years in a Japanese prison if extradited. His lawyers say the warrant was issued in retaliation for his publication of Japanese violations of international whaling agreements.
Upon his release, 74-year-old Watson said, “I’m certainly relieved. This will give me a chance to return home to my two children before Christmas.” The worker said he would be especially careful to avoid stopping in any country with an extradition treaty with Japan on his way to France, where he lives.
“I have to make sure I don’t end up in Iceland or any other country where Interpol might try to arrest me again. Obviously, the ‘Red Notice’ is still there.” Interpol uses the system to flag individuals with outstanding arrest warrants.
Arrest ‘focuses attention on Japan’s illegal whaling operations’
Asked what he thought the ultimate impact of his latest confrontation with Tokyo would be, Watson said: “I think it had the opposite effect on Japan, because it focused heavily on Japan’s continued illegal whaling campaigns. So my time here for five months has really come in handy as an opportunity to expose Japan’s illegal whaling activities.”
Defiant, Watson also vowed to continue his fight, saying: “We have a ship, ready to oppose the Icelandic whaling operation in June next year. And we have a ship in Australia ready to return to Japan.” “Ready to intervene against them upon their return.” Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. “So we are ready to act whenever we need to.”
Japan is one of only three countries to engage in whaling for profit, Iceland and Norway being the other two. In 2019, Tokyo withdrew from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) – which oversees the management of whaling and the conservation of whales – to resume whaling in its exclusive economic zone.
Tokyo defends its stance by arguing that whale meat is part of its food culture.
Watson calls this ridiculous and insists: “Whaling in Japan continues only through massive subsidies. In fact, $30 million (€29 million) from tsunami relief funds were diverted to the whaling industry after 2011. So, you know, it doesn’t benefit the Japanese people in any way, shape or form, in fact, it’s an embarrassment to the Japanese people.”
The Japanese Embassy in Copenhagen did not comment on Watson’s release.
js/jcg (AP, dpa)
