Sea Shepherd Founder Paul Watson Remains Detained As Japan Extradition Considered

Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, remains detained in Greenland as Denmark considers extraditing him to Japan. Watson was arrested after his ship docked in Greenland while on its way to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. The environmental activist will continue to be detained until September 5, with concerns about being a flight risk.

If extradited, Watson faces charges from 2010 including “accomplice to assault” and “ship trespass” in Japan, where he could face up to 15 years in prison. Supporters are campaigning for his release, arguing that his case sets a dangerous precedent for the treatment of activists and individual rights in the face of politically motivated persecution. The Captain Paul Watson Foundation's petition for his release is close to reaching its goal of 70,000 signatures.