Paul Watson, the prominent anti-whaling activist, has been released from custody in Greenland five months after his detention on an international arrest warrant, according to his lawyer.
Watson is the founder of Sea Shepherd, a marine conservation group known for its confrontational tactics against whaling ships. He was arrested in July while in Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, in connection with charges from Japan, one of the world's leading whaling nations. However, Danish officials decided to reject Japan's extradition request, his lawyer confirmed.
"I can confirm that Paul Watson has been released," said his lawyer, Julie Stage, in an email on Tuesday.
"He is obviously relieved and is now looking forward to reuniting with his wife and children," she added. "It has been five long months."
The arrest was based on a warrant issued by Japan in 2012, which accused Watson of interfering with a whaling ship and causing injury to a crew member in 2010.
In a video shared by the Captain Paul Watson Foundation on social media, Watson expressed his relief: "After five months, it’s good to be out, and good to see that they’re not going to send me to Japan. So now I go home for Christmas."
Watson founded Sea Shepherd in 1977 after leaving Greenpeace. The organization is recognized for its direct actions against whale hunting, shark finning, and other controversial maritime practices.
"My arrest has focused international attention on Japan’s continuing illegal whaling operations and their intent to go back to the Southern Ocean," stated Watson, 74, after his release. "So, in fact, these five months have been an extension of the campaign."
The Danish Ministry of Justice announced that Watson, a Canadian American, was being released due to "the nature of circumstances" as well as the time elapsed since the accusations were made.
"I am glad that the minister decided not to give in to Japan," said his lawyer, Julie Stage. "As I have stated previously, I believe that the accusations against Paul Watson are groundless."
Watson is also known for his role in the documentary series "Whale Wars," which aired on Animal Planet from 2008 to 2015 and documented his crew's efforts to combat whaling activities.