The end of a long legal drama. Denmark decided on Tuesday not to extradite environmental activist Paul Watson to Japan. He will therefore be released during the day, his lawyer told AFP.
“He is free, the Ministry of Justice has just informed us that it has rejected the extradition request,” said his lawyer Julie Stage, specifying that Paul Watson would be able to leave Nuuk prison, in Greenland, where he was in custody. pre-trial detention for almost five months.
“Paul is free!!! »
The NGO Sea Shepherd France, which has supported Paul Watson since the start of his detention, welcomed this decision on X: “Paul is free!!! “, simply reacted the NGO. Same reaction from the Captain Paul Watson Foundation.
Many French environmentalist deputies commented on the announcement of this release on Denmark. Collective mobilization paid off. Bravo to Sea Shepherd and all the citizens who continued to mobilize for him. This is your victory! “.
The Danish court first based its refusal on “the total duration of Paul Watson's detention after his arrest, on July 21, 2024, and until a possible extradition decision can be executed”, specifies the Danish court. court decision. The court also argued “that the acts for which extradition is requested date back more than 14 years, as well as [sur] of the nature of acts in general.
“Japan tried to silence a man whose only crime is to have denounced the illegality of the industrial massacre disguised as scientific research,” reacted to AFP another of its lawyers, Me François Zimeray.
Paul Watson “will be able to resume his action for respect for nature, which is also a fight for humanity and justice,” he added. “We are proud to have led this legal and political fight alongside his loved ones.”
France
