Canadian-US environmentalist and anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson is to remain in custody in Greenland for a further four weeks as legal wrangling over his deportation to Japan continues, a court sitting in Nuuk ruled on Wednesday.
Watson, 73, is to remain in prison until October 2 to ensure that he does not leave Greenland until the deportation issue has been resolved, police in the autonomous Danish territory said. Watson has lodged an appeal with a higher court.
One of the world’s best known anti-whaling activists, Watson’s confrontational methods have divided conservationists. Some see him as a hero, while others reject his radical approach. He has drawn anger from various whaling nations, including Japan in particular.
The Japanese authorities issued an international arrest warrant following an incident involving a Japanese whaler in the Antarctic in 2010. This led to his arrest in Nuuk in July after he entered port aboard the John Paul DeJoria.
He is accused by the Japanese of damaging the whaler and disrupting its work. Watson rejects the allegations.
Originally a member of Greenpeace, Watson went on to found the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
According to his current organization, the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, he could face 15 years in prison if deported to Japan. The organization has called for pressure to be applied to Greenland and Denmark on his behalf.
The final decision will be taken by the Danish authorities in Copenhagen. It is not clear when this will occur.
