Greenlandic court denies video evidence in Paul Watson’s case amid international scrutiny

The Greenlandic district court’s refusal to review critical video evidence in the case against whale activist Paul Watson is being called unacceptable by his lawyer, Julie Stage. Earlier today, Watson’s detention was extended until September 5.

According to Stage, the video evidence is vital for evaluating the suspicions against Watson, but the court denied its admission. The footage purportedly demonstrates that the allegation against Watson, concerning the involvement in harming a Japanese crew member during an incident in Antarctica in 2010, is baseless.

Stage emphasized the frustration Watson feels due to the court’s decision not to view the video, stating that it speaks for itself. The video in question is from the program “Whale Wars,” which aired on Animal Planet in August 2010. It shows a crew member from Watson’s team throwing a stink bomb at a Japanese whaling ship, with Japan alleging that a crew member was harmed as a result. However, Stage argues the video shows no crew members on the ship’s upper deck at the time the stink bomb was thrown.

Watson was arrested in Greenland on July 21 based on a 2012 international arrest warrant from Japan, which charges him with “burglary, damage to property, obstruction of business, and personal injury” linked to two incidents in February 2010 in Antarctic waters.

The Greenlandic police state that Watson’s detention is to ensure his presence while the Danish Ministry of Justice deliberates on his potential extradition to Japan. Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has expressed the difficulty of not extraditing Watson, emphasizing the need to adhere to legal standards. Watson’s arrest has garnered significant international attention, with many public figures advocating against his extradition.