Paul Watson Arrested in Greenland
- Canadian-American activist Paul Watson was arrested in Greenland while heading to intervene in Japanese whaling activities.
- His arrest is reportedly linked to a Japanese extradition request tied to past anti-whaling actions.
- Watson's organization claims this move threatens environmental activism globally.
Greenland police have arrested veteran environmental activist Paul Watson, known for his anti-whaling campaigns, based on an international arrest warrant issued by Japan. The arrest occurred on Sunday when Watson's ship docked in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, for refueling. Following his arrest, Watson is set to appear before a district court, where authorities will request his detention while they consider extradition to Japan. The Captain Paul Watson Foundation reported that over a dozen police officers boarded the vessel to take him into custody. The foundation claims that Watson's arrest is linked to a previous Red Notice issued for his anti-whaling activities in the Antarctic. Locky MacLean, a director at the foundation, described the arrest as politically motivated, coinciding with Japan's recent launch of a new whaling ship. Watson, a 73-year-old Canadian-American, has a long history of confrontations with authorities due to his direct action tactics against whaling, which have garnered both celebrity support and significant controversy. Watson previously led the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and was an early member of Greenpeace before leaving in 1977 over disagreements regarding tactics. His past legal troubles include a 2012 detention in Germany on a Costa Rican extradition warrant. The current situation raises concerns about the implications of Japan's renewed efforts to pursue Watson, especially as it coincides with the launch of a new whaling vessel capable of extensive operations in the ocean.