Interpol has removed Paul watson, founder of the sea Shepherd Conservation Society, from its list of “Red Notices” following a request from Denmark. The international law enforcement agency stated that this decision does not reflect a judgment on the merits of the case in Japan, but rather acknowledges Denmark’s refusal to extradite Watson.
The removal means that all data associated with Paul Watson held by Interpol will be deleted from its databases, which are used to track down individuals wanted for serious crimes. Interpol’s press release emphasized that the decision is “not a judgment on the substance of the case or on the events that occurred in 2010.”
Paul Watson’s lawyer in Paris, William Julie, commented that the commission recognized the “disproportionate character of accusations” and the “considerable time elapsed” since the incident involving a whale research ship. Julie reported that Watson expressed relief and happiness at the outcome, noting his resilience throughout the process.
Lamya Essemlali, president of Sea Shepherd France and an ally of Watson, welcomed the cancellation of the Red Notice as “good news.” However, she cautioned that Watson could still be arrested and sent to Japan for prosecution, as the Japanese arrest warrant remains in effect and is sufficient for countries to order his arrest.
The organization Sea Shepherd experienced a split in 2022 after internal friction,leading to the formation of two distinct entities. Lamya Essemlali remained president of Sea Shepherd France.
