Overview

• On July 22, Interpol officially withdrew the 2012 red notice for Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson, who was wanted over an alleged 2008 incident against a Japanese whaling vessel in the Antarctic.
• Interpol clarified that its action reflected Denmark’s rejection of Japan’s extradition request rather than any judgment on the merits of the charges.
• Denmark’s Ministry of Justice released Watson from custody in Greenland last December after refusing to hand him over to Japan.
• Japanese Cabinet Secretary Hayashi affirmed that Tokyo’s arrest warrant remains valid and pledged to seek a new international detention notice and press for extradition through diplomatic channels.
• Watson celebrated the Interpol decision on X by declaring he had finally escaped “incredible pursuit” by a powerful state using unlimited resources.