Greenland police arrested a prominent environmental activist and anti-whaling campaigner on Sunday on an international arrest warrant issued by Japan. The activist, a Canadian-American citizen, was apprehended when his ship docked in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. He is set to appear before a district court where a decision will be made on whether to extradite him to Japan.
The arrest was made as the activist's ship, carrying 25 crew members, was en route to the North West Passage on a mission to intercept a new Japanese whaling vessel in the North Pacific. The Captain Paul Watson Foundation, to which the activist is affiliated, expressed concern over the arrest, linking it to a previous Red Notice issued for his anti-whaling activities in the Antarctic region.
The foundation urged the Danish government, as Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, to release the activist and not comply with what they described as a politically-motivated extradition request. The activist, known for his leadership in the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, has been involved in high-seas confrontations with whaling vessels, actions that have garnered support from celebrities and were featured in the reality TV series 'Whale Wars'.
Japan has accused the activist and the Sea Shepherd organization of endangering whalers' lives during operations in the Antarctic Ocean. Additionally, authorities in Costa Rica have also sought his extradition.
