Environmental campaigner Paul Watson has been detained in Greenland and is now facing extradition to Japan. Anti-whaling campaigner and Greenpeace co-founder Paul Watson was arrested on Sunday on an international warrant issued by Japan. The activist has been sought by Tokyo for over a decade over altercations with local whalers. The 73-year-old activist ended up in custody after his ship was raided by police in Greenland. Now, a district court will decide on his possible extradition to Japan, according to local police.
The Captain Paul Watson Foundation has condemned the potential extradition as a “politically motivated request,” urging the Danish government to release the activist immediately. Watson was in the middle of a campaign to intercept the Kangei Maru, a large Japanese whaling ship. The group claims his arrest was planned to coincide with the launch of the new whaling vessel. Japan has faced international criticism for its continued whaling activities despite a ban by the International Whaling Commission. Tokyo argues that whaling is part of its cultural heritage.