Overview

• Interpol’s independent Commission for the Control of Files deleted the red notice requesting Paul Watson’s arrest.
• The decision was grounded in data-processing and procedural rules rather than a judgment on the merits of the 2001 case.
• Denmark lacks an extradition treaty with Japan and declined to hand Watson over after his July 2024 arrest in Greenland.
• Japan’s separate arrest warrant remains valid, which means Watson could still be detained if he enters jurisdictions that enforce it.
• The Commission noted that the charges were disproportionate and pointed to possible political motivations behind Japan’s request.