Canadian-American environmentalist and anti-whaling activist Paul Watson will remain in custody in Greenland for another four weeks while a legal battle over his deportation to Japan continues, a court in Nuuk ruled on Wednesday.
Watson, 73, must remain in jail until Oct. 2 to ensure he does not leave Greenland until the deportation issue is resolved, police in the autonomous Danish region said. Watson has appealed to 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 angered several whaling nations, most notably Japan.
Japanese authorities issued an international arrest warrant after an incident involving a Japanese whaling ship in Antarctica in 2010, leading 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 denies the charges.
Watson was originally a member of Greenpeace, but later founded the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
According to his current organization, the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, he could face up to 15 years in prison if deported to Japan. The organization has called for pressure to be brought to bear on his behalf on Greenland and Denmark.
The final decision will be made by the Danish authorities in Copenhagen. It is not clear when this will happen.
