Environmental Activist Paul Watson Arrested in Greenland

Paul Watson, a prominent environmental activist and anti-whaling campaigner, was arrested in Nuuk, Greenland, on an international arrest warrant from Japan. Watson was detained while his ship was en route to the North West Passage to intercept a Japanese whaling vessel. The arrest is linked to previous interventions in the Antarctic.

Greenland's police apprehended prominent environmental activist and anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson on Sunday, acting on an international arrest warrant issued by Japan.

Watson was arrested when his ship docked in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, according to a police statement. Authorities intend to present Watson before a district court to consider his extradition to Japan.

The Captain Paul Watson Foundation confirmed that police boarded the vessel and led Watson away in handcuffs during a refueling stop. The ship, with 25 crew members, was on a mission to intercept a new Japanese whaling ship in the North Pacific.

"The arrest is believed to be related to a former Red Notice issued for Captain Watson's previous anti-whaling interventions in the Antarctic region," the foundation said in a statement.

"We implore the Danish government to release Captain Watson and not entertain this politically-motivated request," Locky MacLean, a director at the foundation, urged in the statement.

Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Watson, a Canadian-American citizen, formerly led the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His direct action tactics have garnered support from A-list celebrities and were featured in the reality TV series "Whale Wars."

Japan has accused Watson and Sea Shepherd of endangering the lives of whalers during operations in the Antarctic. In addition, Costa Rican authorities have sought his extradition.

(With inputs from agencies.)