Japan furious as Interpol lifts red notice against anti-whaling activist Paul Watson
Interpol had issued the notice against Watson, known for radical tactics including confrontations with whaling ships at sea, at the request of Japan.
But 'Interpol has officially and permanently dismissed the Red Notice against me', Watson said in a statement Tuesday, calling the move an end to the Japanese whalers' 'vendetta'.
Interpol confirmed to AFP that it had deleted the red notice, which asks police worldwide to arrest a suspect.
Tokyo called the decision 'extremely regrettable', with top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi saying it would not deter Japan.
'The removal doesn't change the fact that Japan's arrest warrant for him is valid,' Hayashi told a regular news briefing.
'Our position remains unchanged that we will continue to call on the parties involved for his extradition,' he said.
Watson, a 74-year-old Canadian-American, was arrested and detained in Greenland in July, 2024 on a 2012 Japanese warrant, which accused him of causing damage to a whaling ship and injuring a whaler.
He was released in December after Denmark refused the Japanese extradition request over the 2010 clash with whalers.
On December 20, Watson returned to France, where his children attend school, following a high-profile campaign in his support. — AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
People's views not same as those with lust for power, says PM's aide
The 'Turun Anwar' rally on Saturday was described by PAS as representing the people's vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. PETALING JAYA : The unity government will listen to all the people, and not just to the voices behind political microphones on rally stages, an aide to the prime minister said today. 'There is a big difference between the people's voice and the political agendas of certain parties who are trying to drag the people into validating their lust for power,' said Shamsul Iskandar Akin, senior political secretary to the prime minister. Shamsul Iskandar Akin. He said the government led by Anwar Ibrahim was built upon an electoral mandate and Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin and his coalition partners should return to the electoral arena if they were confident that public sentiment about the government had shifted. 'Not through street rallies, not by inflating crowd numbers, and not by manipulating racial and religious issues to provoke emotions,' he said in a statement, Bernama reported. His statement comes in the wake of the 'Turun Anwar' rally in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, which police said was attended by an estimated 18,000 people. However, PAS officials claimed that 200,000 people took part. The rally was later described by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan as a vote of no confidence by the people against Anwar and he urged the prime minister to take heed of the turnout and resign instead of waiting for a confidence motion in the Dewan Rakyat. Shamsul said in a statement that the government respected the people's right to assemble and express opinions, and had ensured that no harsh action was taken, no tear gas fired, and no stages destroyed. 'The people's right to speak is protected. But their voices must not be exploited, and democracy must not be held hostage in the name of vengeance and power struggles,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Umno must act on principle even if unpopular, says Zahid
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for party members to take BN's failure to form the government in the past two general elections as a lesson and turning point to rebuild the party's strength. (Bernama pic) RAUB : Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that in today's challenging political landscape, decisions made by the party are aimed at ensuring the country's stability and future, even if those decisions are unpopular. Explaining the matter when officiating the Raub Umno division delegates' meeting, he emphasised that in any struggle, not all decisions taken will be comfortable, but they must be principled. 'No matter how high our position is in the party or government, we must realise that every post is a trust that must be carried out with full responsibility,' he said. Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and deputy prime minister, said what Umno needs most right now is unity of purpose and a strong fighting spirit, without faltering when tested. He also reminded party members to take Umno and BN's failure to form the government in the past two general elections as a lesson and turning point to rebuild the party's strength. 'We have been tested twice in the general elections… enough of the divisions, quarrels, shooting at each other, and hidden saboteurs within. 'Let us learn from past weaknesses and fix Umno and BN from within. Hopefully, we can be dominant once again,' he said. At a press conference later, Zahid said Umno would look into whether any of its members had participated in the rally held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. 'Umno is now part of the unity government, and we must strengthen, not undermine, the government that is in place,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
9 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Sex crimes probe into Penang doctor still on, says minister
The suspect had been arrested on four occasions for offences allegedly committed at a hospital and three private clinics, with the most recent arrest on July 21. (Rawpixel pic) PETALING JAYA : Complaints against a Penang doctor accused of sexual crimes are taken seriously and the case is still under investigation by the health ministry, says Dzulkefly Ahmad. The health minister said the case comes under the purview of health director-general Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab and a designated committee tasked with reviewing professional conduct and disciplinary issues concerning doctors. 'If there's a complaint, we will attend to it seriously. Everyone who complains, we will follow through,' he told reporters after launching the 'Crisis and Community: Covid-19 in Malaysia' book at Gerakbudaya here today. On Thursday, the Women's Centre for Change questioned why the doctor based in Penang has yet to be charged when he has been arrested four times over alleged sexual crimes. The women's group questioned why he was still allowed to treat patients and take locum shifts at private clinics despite the multiple allegations. The suspect had been arrested on four occasions for offences allegedly committed at a hospital and three private clinics, with the most recent arrest on July 21. A woman claimed she was molested by the doctor during a medical examination at a private clinic in Bayan Baru on June 29. WCC urged the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) to suspend the doctor's practising licence pending legal proceedings. Acting Penang police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin confirmed the doctor was recently arrested again and later released on bail. He also said prosecutors had ordered the cops to include the recent case in its overall investigation before submitting the probe papers to them.
