Interpol has temporarily suspended the international Red Notice issued against environmental activist and Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson, according to a statement from his lawyer Julie Stage to Danish news agency Ritzau.
Watson, a Canadian-born conservationist, was arrested in Greenland during the summer of 2024 based on a request from Japanese authorities. The arrest was related to a legal case dating back to 2010, when Watson was accused by Japan of interfering with its whaling operations in the Southern Ocean.
Denmark blocked Japan’s extradition request
After being detained in Greenland for over four months, Watson was released in December 2024, following a decision by the Danish Ministry of Justice not to extradite him to Japan. The ministry cited concerns over the legal basis and proportionality of the extradition request.
The temporary suspension of the Red Notice means that Watson is no longer subject to arrest based on the Interpol warrant while the case is under review. A final decision on whether to remove the notice permanently is expected in June 2025.
Long-running conflict with Japan over anti-whaling actions
Paul Watson has long been a controversial figure in international maritime law enforcement due to his aggressive campaigns against commercial whaling, especially those conducted by Japan under what critics call a “scientific research” loophole. Watson and his organization, Sea Shepherd, have frequently engaged in direct confrontations at sea to obstruct whaling vessels.
The 2010 case cited by Japan relates to one such confrontation, though Watson and his supporters maintain that their actions were aimed at preventing illegal whaling under international conservation law.
A legal and political turning point
The suspension of the Red Notice could mark a turning point in Watson’s decade-long legal battles. Interpol’s decision is considered highly unusual and comes amid growing international criticism of how some countries use Red Notices for politically or ideologically motivated charges.
Human rights organizations have previously raised concerns about the use of Interpol mechanisms to pursue activists and dissidents. Watson’s legal team has also argued that the Japanese request lacked due legal merit and was politically motivated.
The final decision on Watson’s status within Interpol’s system could set a precedent for how international law enforcement treats environmental activism in the future.
