Environmental activist Paul Watson’s legal team plans to file a request with the Danish High Court (Højesteret) concerning his continued detention. Julie Stage, one of Watson’s lawyers, confirmed this information. On Tuesday, Greenland’s Court of Appeal (Grønlands Landsret) upheld the decision made by the Court in Greenland to extend Watson’s pre-trial detention until September 5. This decision was originally made last week, and Watson immediately appealed. However, it has now been confirmed that he will remain in custody.
Watson has been detained in Greenland since July 22 following his arrest in Nuuk on July 21. The arrest warrant was issued by Japan, which seeks Watson’s extradition following an incident in Antarctica in 2010. Japanese authorities accuse Watson of assaulting whalers, thus obstructing their operations. Japan’s extradition request is currently being processed by the Danish Ministry of Justice.
The case has attracted significant international attention. French President Emmanuel Macron announced at the end of July that he has discussed Watson’s situation with Danish authorities and urged Denmark not to extradite him. Watson has been living in France for the past year. Earlier this August, 73 politicians from ten different countries sent a letter to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, calling for Watson’s release. Protests against Watson’s detention also include a demonstration in front of Christiansborg, Denmark’s Parliament, where Joseph Duplantier from the French band Gojira was among the participants.