Paul Watson still has France to protect him from extradition to Japan. BFMTV guest this Sunday, September 28, the whale defender returned to the decision of the French office for refugee protection and effusion without a state (OFPRA) to reject the right of asylum.
“This decision disappointed me, they said that my activities in the South Oceans were a bit strange or even illegal. They can say that they do not make decisions on the basis of politics, but it seems very political to me,” he denounced.
According to the activist and founder of Sea Shepherd, the office took into account the uprising of July 22 by Interpol de la Avie Rouge that was attacking it. He insists on the threats that still weigh against him. “They do not seem to understand that Japan seeks to extract contacting countries,” he added.
Paul Watson also regrets that Ofpra considers his American citizenship as a guarantee of protection. “His position is that Japan and the United States are democratic countries that respect the rule of law. I don’t think newspapers read.”
The Septuagenarian was arrested in Greenland for five months in 2024, before Denmark rejected an extradition request from Japan that accused him of being represented for damages and injuries in a ship of Japanese whales in 2010 as part of a campaign of the Pastor of the NGO. He was able to return to Paris, where he has lived for 10 years on December 20.
Emmanuel Macron “will find a solution”
But Paul Watson is not renounced by the negative of Ofpra and has the intervention of President Macron. “He told me that it was not a problem. I think he was sincere, but he has not escaped that he has been occupied in recent times,” he reacted, noting that the refugee protection office has not taken into account the support statements of the head of state. “They said that the president’s position was not relevant.”
The whale defender is still optimistic about the president’s power: “I think he will find a solution.”
When asked about his desire to obtain French citizenship one day, Paul Watson has been of interest. “Why not? It would be great. We have significant popular support in France, the country has a good evaluation in terms of environmental protection with Cousteau in particular, I would be very happy to contribute to this inheritance,” he said.
Source: BFM TV
