Paul Watson remains in custody in Greenland as legal battles continue over extradition to Japan

Paul Watson remains in custody in Greenland following a ruling by the local court, with his imprisonment extended until December 4. The American-Canadian activist, known for his anti-whaling efforts over several decades, was arrested on July 21 due to a 12-year-old Japanese warrant. His detention occurred upon his arrival in Nuuk, where he was en route to confront a Japanese whaling vessel in the Northern Pacific.

Japan seeks to prosecute Watson for actions against its whaling ships dating back to February 2010, including an incident where a butyric acid bomb was reportedly thrown at one of its vessels, injuring a crew member. Charges from this 14-year-old case include “burglary, property damage, obstruction of business, and personal injury.”

Watson has expressed dissatisfaction with his continued detention, stating that Japan’s whaling has been deemed illegal since 2014 and lamented being separated from his children during the holiday season. His lawyer criticized the decision to prolong his confinement, arguing it’s disproportionate to the alleged offense, especially given that Watson has been held in Greenland since July.

Access to his family is severely restricted, with Watson allowed only ten minutes of phone contact weekly and no visits from his wife and children, who live in France. His legal team has taken the case to the Supreme Court, challenging the ongoing detention.

Meanwhile, international attention is focused on his case, with calls from various governments, including France, urging Denmark not to extradite him to Japan, given the contentious nature of Japan’s whaling practices. Watson’s legal representatives argue that he may be a victim of political persecution intended to stifle his activism.