Paul Watson’s arrest “was planned”, “he was tracked and trapped” but “his morale is high”, according to the president of Sea Shepherd France

Invited on franceinfo, the president of Sea Shepherd France, Lamya Essemlali indicates that the association will appeal the decision to arrest Paul Watson.

Paul Watson “keep your spirits up”, “he’s combative”assures Lamya Essemlali, president of Sea Shepherd France, Tuesday July 23 on franceinfo. The founder of the NGO was arrested Sunday in Greenland by the Danish police. “He is ultimately the least stressed of all of us, even if he risks a lot”notes Lamya Essemlali, while Paul Watson risks extradition to Japan for opposing whaling vessels.

“He is risking his life, if he goes to Japan we know we will not see him again because Japan is in a logic of revenge”warns the representative of Sea Shepherd France. The decision to extradite Paul Watson or not will ultimately be up to the Danish Ministry of Justice. In the meantime, Paul Watson is in prison. “We will contest this, we will appeal this decision so that he is at least released on bail,” says Lamya Essemlali.

According to her, the arrest of Paul Watson “was planned”, “he was tracked and he was trapped”. “Something happened between Japan and Denmark, as 14 police officers and a prosecutor were put on a plane direct from Copenhagen to Greenland, especially to arrest Paul Watson”analyzes Lamya Essemlali. According to her, this is linked to the fact that the NGO has “a history” with Denmark “on the issue of dolphin massacres in the Faroe Islands”.

She points out that the arrest warrant against Paul Watson “was issued specifically to Denmark in June and expires in September”what “corresponds” precisely when Paul Watson was passing through Greenland to refuel his boat. According to his information, this is therefore a new arrest warrant and not the one issued ten years ago by Interpol.

Lamya Essemlali recalls that Paul Watson “didn’t make any mystery” about going to the North Pacific “where Japan is killing hundreds of whales” For “block the route” to the whaling ship Kangei Maru, “the largest whaling ship ever built and inaugurated with great fanfare in Japan a few weeks ago.”

She also denounces “lies” from Japan, “diffamation”concerning Paul Watson, who Japanese authorities accuse of causing damage and injuries during two incidents in the Antarctic Ocean in 2010 against a Japanese whaling ship. “The only person who was injured during the Antarctic campaigns was a member of our crew.” “What he is ultimately accused of is having saved more than 5,000 whales and their descendants in an international sanctuary.”she concluded.