Controversial activist arrested in Greenland – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country

On Sunday, Watson was arrested on the Arctic island, when his ship docked in the capital, Nuuk, according to the AFP news agency. The reason for the arrest is that he is internationally wanted by Japan. Now he faces possible extradition to the Japanese. The Canadian is one of the founders of Sea Shepherd and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation (CPWF), which are American environmental organisations. According to its own website, CPWF defends marine life through what the organization calls aggressive non-violence. They also write that they campaign against illegal businesses that exploit life in the sea. – The arrest warrant from Japan is illegal Japan has sent a new ship to the North Pacific. The ship, which is called the Kangei Maru, weighs 9,300 tonnes and can carry a cargo of up to 70 tonnes at a time. It was this ship that Watson was on his way to stop when he was arrested, his organization itself has confirmed that. The police in Greenland state that the Canadian will be in custody until 15 August. Watson and CPWF have appealed this decision to the Supreme Court. – The arrest warrant from Japan is illegal. It violates all international treaties on human rights, says one of Watson’s lawyers, François Zimeray. Watson was on his way to stop this 9300 heavy Japanese ship. Photo: YUICHI YAMAZAKI / AFP Zimeray added: – By handing over Watson, Denmark will “break its own constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights”. Now the Danish Ministry of Justice will decide whether Watson will be extradited to Japan. Until then, he will be in custody. CPWF says that Watson risks a sentence of 15 years in prison if he is extradited to Japan. They believe that the arrest is politically motivated. Japanese authorities have not commented on the case, but tell AFP that they are aware of the arrest. Controversial opponents of quail hunting Watson has for several decades fought against quail fishing, especially in Japan, but also in Norway and Iceland. The three countries are the only ones in the world that engage in commercial quail fishing. The activist is best known for direct confrontations with quail fishing vessels. Several authorities have classified him as an eco-terrorist. Japan previously owed the organization to Watson, to be equipped with water cannons, stink bombs and reinforced ropes. They throw these on board the ship of the “enemy” during actions. The rope is used to wrap around the propellers on the fishing vessel. In 1997 he was convicted in Norway for attempting to sink a ship in Lofoten. The whaling opponent has been featured in the reality series “Whale Wars”. Watson was also one of the founders of Greenpeace. He has been wanted by Japan since 2012. He is Interpol has stated that Watson is wanted by Japan for causing damage to ships and people in two incidents against a Japanese quail fishing vessel. In 2023, there were 9 vessels that caught quail in Norway. The catch was 507 animals, a slight decrease from the previous year. Published 22.07.2024, at 23.01



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