image: @captainpaulwatson [Instagram]
The marine conservationist and founder of Sea Shepherd was arrested in the Greenlandic capital Nuuk for planned activities against Japanese whalers. All the background information on the case can be found here:
The marine conservationist and founder of Sea Shepherd, Paul Watson, was arrested on July 21 in the Greenlandic capital Nuuk. He was on his way to the North Pacific to intercept Japan's new 9,300-ton factory whaling ship "Kangei Maru."
Why Was Watson Arrested?
The Greenlandic police arrested Watson based on an international arrest warrant issued by Japan for his anti-whaling activities in the Antarctic region. In Greenland, Watson is to remain in custody until a decision is made regarding his potential extradition to Japan.
According to the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, the ship had stopped in Nuuk to refuel. The organization stated that Watson was on a mission against the new Japanese whaling ship in the North Pacific and urged Denmark to release Watson and reject Japan's "politically motivated" arrest request. Since Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, the decision on a possible extradition lies with the Danish Ministry of Justice.
#FreePaulWatson
Shortly thereafter, a campaign to free Watson was launched on social media under the hashtag #freepaulwatson. Metal artists such as Sam Carter from Architects, Heaven Shall Burn, and Arch Enemy singer Alissa White-Gluz called for support of the 73-year-old marine conservationist.
Whether Watson will be extradited to Japan or the Danish authorities will refuse to comply with the arrest warrant remains to be seen.
