Today’s news / Politicians call for Danish PM to release Watson
Paul Watson was detained and remanded in custody in Greenland in July. (Archive photo). Photo: Loic Venance/Ritzau Scanpix

Politicians call for Danish PM to release Watson

International politicians have called on Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to release environmental activist Paul Watson, reports TV 2. Detained in Greenland on July 21st, Watson faces extradition to Japan over a 2010 international arrest warrant. MEPs and national politicians from ten European countries have signed a letter against Watson’s detainment, asserting a worrisome trend of activist suppression. French MEP Emma Forreau highlighted the issue within Europe. Watson, a Canadian-American, is a co-founder of Greenpeace. He was involved in a confrontation with Japanese whalers in Antarctica, leading to allegations of assault. His custody extends until a court decides on his extradition. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard stressed that Denmark values an effective international collaboration in legal matters and that any extradition would respect essential legal principles. Denmark has received an extradition request from Japan.