Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd and co-founder of Greenpeace, faces up to 15 years in prison in Japan if convicted on charges including accomplice to assault and ship trespass.

On July 21, 2024, Watson was arrested by Danish police upon arrival in Nuuk, Greenland, onboard the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, Undercurrent News reported last week.

Danish authorities claim that the arrest was made due to an international arrest warrant issued by Japan relating to his anti-whaling campaigns in the Antarctic more than a decade ago, according to Sea Shepherd. 

According to the organization, the Canadian-American faces the possibility of extradition to Japan, where he would serve a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

Watson is linked to a 2010 incident in which a Sea Shepherd member boarded the Japanese whaling ship Shonan Maru 2, the Guardian reported.

The charges stem from clashes in the Southern Ocean, where Sea Shepherd's speedboat was destroyed by the Shonan Maru 2. Activist Peter Bethune boarded the vessel in response and was later arrested and sentenced in Tokyo, with charges against Watson filed soon after.

Watson's detention has sparked significant controversy. French president Emmanuel Macron has urged Denmark not to extradite Watson, who has lived in France for a year. Supporters compare his case to Julian Assange's, calling it politically motivated. Watson remains in custody in Nuuk, Greenland, pending a Danish decision on extradition by August 15.

In total, 68 members of the French and European parliaments also sent a letter to the Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen on July 24 calling for Watson's release, Euractiv reported.

Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019, targeting whales around its waters. Watson's arrest occurs amid his efforts to intercept Japan's new whaling mothership, Kangei Maru.

Sea Shepherd has launched a petition addressing the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, demanding Watson be released from custody.