Interpol's Direction for Paul Watson, Right in the Heart of Lyon
After 5 months of detention in Greenland, environmental activist and whale defender, Paul Watson, is finally free. His extradition request to Japan has been rejected by Denmark. The founder of Sea Shepherd was arrested on July 21, during a stop in Greenland to refuel his boat. An international arrest warrant was issued against him by Interpol at Japan's request, due to activities against whale hunting in Antarctica that allegedly caused damage and injury in 2010.
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Now free, ocean activist Paul Watson is heading to Lyon, the international headquarters of Interpol, with a very specific mission: to contest the red notice issued against him since 2012. Watson describes this as a "far-fetched situation" driven by political motives. Just to remind you, Interpol's offices have been located in Lyon, right next to the Tête d’Or Park, since 1989. But this visit won’t be a leisurely stroll in the park: Watson is looking to take legal action and denounce what he believes to be an injustice.
A Long Fight Ahead
Canada, his homeland, might seem far away, but Paul Watson lives in France with his wife and kids. However, this closeness doesn't protect him. His often controversial activism has earned him many enemies. Japan, in particular, holds Watson responsible for a collision in 2010 between the Shonan Maru 2 and the Ady Gil, an emblematic ship of his organization, which was ultimately destroyed.
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Despite these tensions, Watson isn’t backing down. At 73 years old, he continues to champion the oceans and their inhabitants, often at the risk of his own freedom. Paul Watson has announced that starting January 2025, he plans to step foot in Lyon to write a new chapter in his activist journey. In the meantime, one thing is for sure: this man will not give up. Lyon, get ready to welcome a media tsunami... 🌊