PAUL WATSON'S LEGAL TEAM DEMANDS FAIR TRIAL AS EXTRADITION LOOMS

Oct. 2nd 2024, Nuuk, Greenland – In what is quickly becoming a test of judicial integrity and international solidarity, marine conservation legend Captain Paul Watson appeared for his fourth court hearing today in Nuuk, Greenland. Despite increasing global attention and pressure for his release, the prosecution has requested yet another extension of Watson's detention until October 23, 2024. "In our view, the criteria for extradition have been met according to the accusations in the Japanese arrest warrant. Therefore, there is no point in analysing any documents. The detention is extended by 3 weeks, until Wednesday, October 23rd." stated Stig NorskovJensen, the Greenland Court Judge in his ruling today. During today's session, Watson’s legal team demanded that critical evidence proving his innocence be admitted into the proceedings. However, the court, aligning with the prosecutor's position, refused to allow the defence’s evidence yet again. Lawyer Jonas Christoffersen explained: "Paul Watson has been in custody for four months, without the Court of Greenland or the High Court of Greenland having given permission for Paul Watson to document in court what the case is about. In our opinion, it is against his human rights for a judge to assess the evidence and the basis for a remand.”

The prosecution argued that Watson’s involvement in an anti-whaling operation, specifically his presence during Pete Bethune's 2010 stink bomb action on a Japanese whaling vessel, was enough to justify the extradition request from Japan. They maintained that any evidence the defence presented was irrelevant under the circumstances. Watson's lawyer denounced the charges, stating that the legal actions against his client are wildly disproportionate, with the prosecutor asserting that a stink bomb attack constitutes an intentional assault on a ship, despite it being non-lethal. As the defence attempted to respond to this claim, the judge cut them off, disallowing any further discussion regarding the rejected evidence.

“The latest extension took place today, October 2, and we will now appeal to the High Court, and then we hope that the Supreme Court will put its foot down and state that anyone who is in remand - regardless of whether it is in an extradition case - has the right to have a judge see the key documents of the case and make a proper assessment of whether there is a basis for a detention." Stated Christofferson

In an emotional conclusion, Captain Watson stated: "This is my 73rd day in prison. I’ve missed my children’s birthdays, who just turned 3 and 8 years old. My accusers are criminals, and this isn’t just my opinion – it’s the judgment from the International Court of Justice and the Australian Federal Court. We’re talking about a bruise on someone’s cheek caused not by our stink bomb but by their own pepper spray. The Japanese rammed and split a ship in two, risking the lives of 6 crew members, whom we had to save” Concluding “I cannot believe that Denmark would extradite me to Japan – it would be my death sentence. Denmark respects human rights." Watson’s supporters worldwide are growing increasingly frustrated with what they see as a politically motivated attempt to silence a man who has spent more than 50 years protecting marine wildlife, particularly whales, from illegal poaching and exploitation.

The Captain Paul Watson Foundation has called on international human rights organizations to intervene and ensure Watson is given a fair trial. Rob Read, Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Paul Watson Foundation UK, who attended the hearing in Nuuk today stated: “Our main worry is that the Judge feels the extradition requirements have been met and Paul is at real risk of a life sentence in Japan leaving our oceans without their greatest protector”. Watson, who was arrested on July 21st 2024 while refueling his ship in Nuuk, Greenland on his way to stop a Japanese factory whaling vessel from hunting endangered Fin Whales (on a decades-old Interpol warrant issued by Japan), faces charges for allegedly injuring a crew member during a 2010 stink bomb incident in Antarctica, opposing illegal Japanese whaling.

Yet, Watson and his defence team argue that the charges are a smokescreen designed to deter him and others from opposing Japan’s whaling activities. “As a self-governing territory of Denmark, the Faroes are central here, especially with their whaling traditions, like the ‘Grindadrap.’ Faroese police tipped off Greenland about Japan’s extradition request, linking them directly to Watson’s case. It all ties back to Danish legal oversight and the wider debate around whaling and conservation.” Rob Red COO CPWF UK

The Captain Paul Watson Foundation, in collaboration with other environmental groups, continues to demand Watson's immediate release. They argue that his detention and potential extradition are politically motivated, serving as a warning to others who dare to challenge the whaling industry.