Greenland court orders anti-whaling activist Paul Watson must remain in custody until Sept. 5
Police say a court in Greenland has ruled that veteran environmental activist and anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson must remain in custody as authorities consider Japan’s request for his extradition
BERLIN (AP) — A court in Greenland ruled Thursday that veteran environmental activist and anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson must remain in custody as authorities consider Japan's request for his extradition, police said.
The court ruled that Watson must remain in detention until Sept. 5 to ensure his presence in connection with a decision on extradition, Greenland police said in a statement, adding that Watson has appealed the decision to Greenland's High Court.
Watson, a 73-year-old Canadian-American citizen, is a former head of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society whose direct action tactics, including high-seas confrontations with whaling vessels, have drawn support from A-list celebrities and featured in the reality television series “Whale Wars.”
He was arrested last month on an international warrant issued by Japan when his ship docked in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. Japan’s government then asked Danish authorities to hand over Watson so he could be tried in Japan. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark.
