COPENHAGEN, Denmark — A Greenland court has ruled to keep anti-whaling activist Paul Watson in custody until December 4 as Denmark reviews a request for extradition from Japan.
Japan lacks an extradition treaty with Denmark, but Greenland, which is a self-governing territory of Denmark, manages its own law enforcement and judicial procedures.
Watson, a 73-year-old activist with Canadian-American citizenship, is widely recognized for his role as the former leader of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. This organization is known for its controversial tactics, including confrontational actions at sea against whaling ships, and has garnered support from numerous celebrities as well as attention from the reality TV show “Whale Wars.”
The activist was taken into custody on July 21 when his vessel arrived in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Since then, local courts have consistently sanctioned his continued detention while Danish officials investigate the potential extradition to Japan. Watson faces charges there that could result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years, according to the Captain Paul Watson Foundation.
According to Watson’s attorney, Finn Meinel, the prolonged detention is unjust, and he stated it “is not fair that Watson should be detained in a case that should have been concluded a long time ago,” as reported by the Greenlandian publication Sermitsiaq.
The request for Watson’s arrest by Japan’s coast guard is connected to an incident involving a Japanese research whaling vessel in 2010, where he allegedly instructed his crew to use explosives against the ship, thereby obstructing the crew from performing their official duties.
During court proceedings, Watson expressed his disbelief at the charges, proclaiming, “no one was injured then. It is totally ridiculous,” and he characterized Japan as “a criminal nation,” claiming that Denmark is supporting such actions.
Prosecutor Mariam Khalil voiced concerns about a potential flight risk, asserting that an extension of his detention was necessary.
Additionally, Sea Shepherd France has indicated that Watson has reached out to the president of France requesting political asylum.