Paul Watson Freed: Anti-Whaling Activist Exonerated in Greenland After Five Months in Custody**

After spending five months in a Greenland prison, anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released following Denmark's rejection of Japan's extradition request. Watson expressed relief at his release and emphasized the spotlight his detention has shone on Japan's whaling activities.**

Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from prison in Greenland after spending five months in custody. The release follows Denmark's refusal to comply with a Japanese request for his extradition, leading to a groundswell of support for Watson, whose petition for release garnered over 123,000 signatures.

Mr. Watson, 74, was detained last July when his vessel docked in Nuuk, Greenland's capital. Authorities acted on a 2012 Japanese warrant accusing him of damaging a Japanese whaling ship, obstructing business, and injuring a crew member during a skirmish in Antarctic waters in February 2010. Mr. Watson, a Canadian-American citizen and former star of the reality series Whale Wars, staunchly denied the accusations, stating that recordings prove he was not present at the time of the incident.

In a video call following his release, Mr. Watson expressed his gratitude and excitement at being able to return to his family. "My time in prison has highlighted the illegal practices surrounding Japanese whaling," he remarked. He criticized Japan's rationale for whaling as a cultural norm, a point of contention among various conservation groups around the globe.

The Danish justice ministry announced it would not fulfill Japan's extradition request, deeming the lengthy timeframe between the alleged incident and the request, along with the nature of the accusations, incompatible with Denmark's legal standards. Denmark's justice minister, Peter Hummelgaard, emphasized that the duration of Mr. Watson's imprisonment would be considered if he faced legal repercussions in Japan.

Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was reportedly on a mission towards the North Pacific with a crew of 26 volunteers, aiming to intercept a new Japanese whaling ship when it stopped to refuel in Nuuk on July 21. Watson described the case as motivated by retaliation over a television series that had embarrassed Japan regarding its whaling practices.

Moving forward, Watson plans to meet with Interpol to address an outstanding red notice for his arrest. He also reaffirmed his commitment to anti-whaling initiatives, contending that he was prepared to continue his organization's efforts against the controversial practice. This episode adds another chapter to Watson's long history of confrontations with whalers, as he continues to be a polarizing figure in the conversation regarding marine conservation and whaling rights.