Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson arrested in Greenland on Japan warrant
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00:00Uncuffed aboard his own ship, anti-whaling activist Paul Watson then taken away by Danish
00:06police from this Greenland port.
00:15The arrest of the Sea Shepherd founder on Sunday has sparked outrage among his supporters.
00:21Here in France, a petition demanding Watson's immediate release has already garnered well
00:27over 300,000 signatures, including a number of French celebrities, among them the iconic
00:33comedian Pierre Richard.
00:36Defenders of the environment are heroes, not criminals.
00:40Paul is 73 years old.
00:42He risks 15 years in prison, which means he could die there and never see his wife and
00:46children again.
00:49Since 2012, Watson has been living under threat of an Interpol red notice, a warrant for his
00:55arrest requested by Japan.
00:58Tokyo is livid over Watson's spectacular operations in the Antarctic Ocean against Japanese whaling
01:05vessels, daring interventions testing the limits of maritime law that have become the
01:10calling card of the activist and his NGO.
01:15Paul Watson took action to protect an international sanctuary and prevent an illegal whale hunt.
01:22Remember Japan has been condemned by the International Court of Justice for illegal whaling.
01:29The French government says it is in contact with Danish authorities and is following the
01:33matter closely.
01:35Denmark is expected to decide whether or not to extradite Watson to Japan by mid-August.