Anti-whaling activist Paul Waton has requested political asylum from France

In what was also a well-executed publicity operation, Lamya Essemlali, president of Sea Shepherd France, appeared live on a big screen to comment on the legal situation of Paul Watson, from Nuuk.

Paul Watson, the anti-whaling activist and founder of Sea Shepherd, has requested political asylum from French President Emmanuel Macron.

Lamya Essemlali, head of Sea Shepherd France, revealed at a press conference in Paris that Watson sent a letter to Macron several days ago requesting asylum.

Watson arrest

The 73-year-old US-Canadian activist was arrested in July in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital.

Outcry in France as Greenland keeps anti-whaling crusader Paul Watson in jail

From prison, Watson "wrote a letter to Emmanuel Macron," Essemlali confirmed, stating that he is seeking asylum in France.

Watson was detained while his ship, the John Paul DeJoria, was refueling en route to confront a Japanese whaling vessel in the North Pacific, according to the Captain Paul Watson Foundation (CPWF).

His arrest is linked to a 2012 Japanese warrant accusing him of damaging a whaling ship in 2010 and injuring a crew member with a stink bomb during an anti-whaling protest.

Greenland extends detention of anti-whaling activist Paul Watson


Read more on RFI English

Read also:
Greenland extends detention of anti-whaling activist Paul Watson
French icon Bardot lashes out at Japan over arrest of anti-whaling activist Paul Watson
Outcry in France as Greenland keeps anti-whaling crusader Paul Watson in jail