Whale defender Paul Watson, detained in Denmark, has been released, announces his association, Sea Shepherd

Japan demanded his extradition, accusing him of being responsible for damage and injuries aboard a Japanese whaling ship in 2010.

“Paul is free!!” Environmental activist Paul Watson will regain his freedom, his association, Sea Shepherd, announced on Tuesday, December 17, on a decision by the Danish government, which ultimately rejected an extradition request filed by Japan.

“He will be able to resume his fight for respect for nature, which is a fight for humanity and justice”confirmed his lawyer François Zimmeray with Liberation. The daily specifies that the activist will be able to return to France, where he has lived since 2023 with his wife and two of his children.

Japan accuses Paul Watson of being responsible for damage and injuries aboard a Japanese whaling ship in 2010. Targeted by an international arrest warrant, the activist was arrested in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, on July 21, while he was on his way with his ship to intercept a brand new Japanese whaling factory ship. For Paul Watson and his team, the extradition request had no “nothing to do with what happened in 2010”but fell under “a very political question” and a concern for “vengeance” of Japan faced with the highlighting of “its illegal whaling activities”.