Detention of environmental activist Paul Watson in Greenland extended until December 18

The founder of the NGO Sea Shepherd was arrested on July 21 while trying to intercept a Japanese whaling factory ship.

The court in Nuuk, Greenland, decided on Monday December 2 to continue in pre-trial detention of environmental activist Paul Watson, pending the decision of the Danish government on the extradition request made by Japan, linked to its fight for whales. “The Greenland court today ruled that Paul Watson will be kept in custody until December 18, 2024 to ensure his presence during the extradition process”the police said in a statement.

The Danish Ministry of Justice, questioned by AFP, affirms that it “is currently processing the extradition request (…) and is expected to make a decision in this matter soon.” For Paul Watson's lawyer, Julie Stage, this decision should come “within 14 days”. “We disagree” with the extension of detention, “and appealed”she reacted to AFP.

In late November, Paul Watson's defenders urged Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard to refuse extradition. If that was the decision, “there would no longer be grounds for detention and [Paul Watson] would be released”explained the prosecutor in charge of the case. Otherwise, his defenders would appeal.

The American-Canadian, who turns 74 on Monday, was arrested in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, on July 21. He was then on his way with his ship, the John Paul DeJoriato intercept a brand new Japanese whaling factory ship.

It is in another whaling case, dating back to 2010, that Japan requests his extradition, described as “policy” by its defenders. Founder of Sea Shepherd and the ocean foundation that bears his name, Paul Watson is an emblematic figure in the fight against whaling.