Denmark Extends Paul Watson’s Detention, Awaiting Justice Ministry’s Final Call

13 November 2024, Nuuk, Greenland – Captain Paul Watson, the founder of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, faces yet another delay in his ongoing detention, as Judge Lars-Christian Sinkbæk ordered an extension until 2 December 2024, which coincides with his 74th birthday.

This ruling marks the sixth court appearance for Watson since his initial arrest on 21 July, intensifying global scrutiny of the Greenlandic legal proceedings and raising questions about procedural fairness.

In today’s brief hearing, the Greenlandic court cited a High Court ruling, stating that Watson’s continued detention was not “disproportionate,” though Judge Sinkbæk urged prompt action in the case. Finn Meinel, Watson’s defence solicitor, argued against the detention’s fairness, stating, “Today, we argued that holding him is disproportionate, but the decision currently lies with a higher court.”

"It’s much of the same from this Greenland court. Due to the failure of the Danish Ministry of Justice to decide on Japan's extradition request - Paul will be spending his next birthday in court on these trivial revenge charges from the illegal whalers of Japan" – Rob Read, CPWF UK

Captain Watson, who has been resisting extradition to Japan, faces charges dating back to a 2010 protest against illegal whaling activities in the Antarctic. Allegations claim he injured a Japanese crew member with a non-lethal stink bomb, a claim his supporters insist is exaggerated to silence his advocacy. Video evidence, which Watson’s defence believes would prove his innocence, remained unavailable in court today.

Following the hearing, Watson commented, “115 days, and they haven’t made a decision,” a statement reflecting the frustration among his supporters worldwide.

Renowned conservationists like Sylvia Earle, David Attenborough, and Jane Goodall have expressed support for Watson, condemning the restrictions on his right to a fair defence. Environmental and human rights organisations globally have voiced concerns, stating that the charges reflect a broader effort to suppress voices defending ocean life and to intimidate the environmental movement.

The next hearing is set for 2 December, where Watson will again face the possibility of extradition to Japan on charges his legal team maintains are politically driven. The case’s progress now awaits a decision by the Danish Justice Ministry regarding the extradition’s legal grounds.

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