The controversial founder of a marine conservation activist group has applied for political asylum in France to avoid a trial in Japan, where he faces up to 15 years in prison.
A court in Greenland has extended the the custody of anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson until 13 November.
Denmark is currently considering an extradition request from Japan, where the Sea Shepherd founder faces up to 15 years in prison for allegedly attacking a ship.
Watson is accused by the Japanese coast guard of ordering the captain of his ship to throw explosives at a Japanese whaling vessel, in the process obstructing its official duties.
He was first arrested in July when his ship docked in Greenland’s capital, with a Danish court approving his detention. Danish authorities are still deciding whether to extradite him.
Last week, Watson asked France’s president for political asylum. Watson had delivered a letter to President Emmanuel Macron, who previously expressed his support for Watson and emphasised the importance of the case for environmental advocacy and human rights.
France has yet to respond to Watson’s letter and request, which a lawyer for Sea Shepherd France said was “largely symbolic and aimed at securing his release”.
It was unclear when Denmark will decide whether or not to send him to Japan, which does not have an extradition treaty with the Scandinavian country.
Protesters in France and Belgium have taken to the streets to demand Watson’s release. In September, EU lawmakers stood outside of the Danish embassy in Brussels to protest against his detention.
Several celebrities have also fought his case, with Irish actor Pierce Brosnan posting on Instagram in support of the activist.
Watson, a 73-year-old Canadian-American citizen, is a former head of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which he departed in 2022.
Formerly a leading member of Greenpeace, he left that organisation in 1977 amid disagreements over his tactics, at which point he set up Sea Shepherd to take a more aggressive approach.
Sea Shepherd has waged campaigns to protect whales, dolphins and other marine animals. The group is notorious for its direct action tactics, including high-seas physical confrontations with whaling vessels.
Some of its stunts have drawn support from A-list celebrities and were featured in the reality television series “Whale Wars”.
Protesters argue Watson’s arrest is part of a politically motivated effort to sanitise Japan’s whaling practices, which the Japanese government claims are sustainable and focused on scientific research.
