Captain Paul Watson Arrested by Danish Police!!!

 On Sunday, 21 July 2024, Captain Paul Watson, Founder of Sea Shepherd, as well as founder and CEO of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation (CPWF), was arrested by Danish Police. the arresting officers stated that this was related to a red notice issued by Japanese authorities due to an incident which occurred back in 2013.

Captain Paul Watson has always dedicated his life to helping protect our oceans and is a firm believer in non-violent, but direct action campaigns. Back in 2013, he and his Sea Shepherd Crews planned an operation in the protected international waters of Antarctica. to intervene in the Japanese whaling vessels that were killing whales for meat, under the excuse that it was for scientific purposes. 

Since the Red Notice was issued, Captain Paul Watson has avoided areas that would support upholding the Red Notice. In recent months, however the notice. has since disappeared from public records. This led Paul Watson to believe it was no longer being enforced and he was free to operate without fear of arrest. 

When the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, one of the vessels in the CPWF fleet, docked in Greenland to refuel and do some maintenance, they were met with dozens of Danish police officers and SWAT teams, who communicated they were there to arrest Paul Watson due to the Red Notice issued by Japanese authorities. 

He has since seen a Judge, who denied his bail due to being seen as a flight risk (however that works), and is now sitting in jail, whilst the Japanese authorities wait out the legal 30 days they have to state whether they would like him to be extradited. Once they have communicated this, the Danish Judicial system will need to investigate if there are legal grounds for extradition to Japan. 

Now I'm not sure where you as the reader are from, but I am from South Africa. Unfortunately, there are dozens of murders, rhino poachers, rapists, corrupt officials and many other very dangerous people who get let out on bail, or even never convicted due to consistently delayed proceedings. Captain Paul Watson is not a dangerous man or a danger to society. He is an eco-warrior trying to protect endangered species in protected international waters (Antarctica) against inhumane practices that most of the world has outlawed. 

If he is extradited to Japan, and sentenced to jail (which is almost guaranteed if extradited), he may never see his family or young children again, as he will face up to 15 years in prison, which is unfortunately a lot longer than life that he likely has left. It is not fair for him to be losing his life, or his family to be losing him, just because he stood up for what is right and to help ensure the protection of all of our futures.

There is a plea for all supporters to reach out to their local Danish Embassy and demand the release of Captain Paul Watson. You can also show your support by sharing social media posts, or by signing this petition set up by the CPWF. He has been fighting on our behalves for so many decades, it is now time for us to stand up and fight for him. I have also attached a template that you may use to email your Danish embassy/ Danish Judicial Department. For any more information, please visit https://www.paulwatsonfoundation.org/captain-paul-watson-ambushed-and-arrested-in-greenland/

Template:

Ministry of Justice in Copenhagen
Phone: +45 7226 8400
Email: jm@jm.dk


To the Ministry of Justice,


I am writing to express my shock at the arrest of Captain Paul Watson by Danish police in Greenland when the Captain Paul Watson Foundation ship, the John Paul DeJoria docked for refuelling.

The police said they were acting on a red notice issued by Japan for Captain Watson's arrest because he dared to stand up against the Japanese whaling vessels killing whales in international waters, in violation of the International Whaling Commission restrictions.

Europe has banned whaling, and Denmark is part of the EU. I would not have thought arresting a man who has done nothing but spend his life defending marine life and our oceans was in the Danish public interest. Why act as an enforcer for the Japanese whaling industry when no other country has felt compelled to do so since the red notice was issued?

Please take a stand against this unjust act and prevent Captain Watson from being extradited to Japan. The world is watching closely, and any harm that comes to this dedicated defender of our oceans will be noted, affecting Denmark’s reputation.

With hope and expectation that you will do what is right.

[Your Name]