Protest in France over detention of American-Canadian environmental activist Paul Watson
Japan has requested his expedition over a number of incidents
Paul Watson has lived in France since 2015, and is a popular figure in the country. This photo from 2016 shows him next to Brigitte Bardot
2016 Frederic Legrand
Ecologists in France are continuing to stage protests in defence of a Canadian-American activist, who is currently detained in Greenland.
Paul Watson, 73, has remained in detention in Nuuk, Greenland, for over a month.
Earlier this week a local court said he must remain in custody until October 2, when the Danish courts will rule on his extradition to Japan.
He is facing extradition for various incidents between himself and Japanese whaling vessels.
The ecologist, who was formerly head of the renowned Sea Shepherd organisation, and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, has lived on and off in France since 2015, and is a popular figure in the country.
He was originally welcomed by fellow activist Brigitte Bardot to the south of France, and then moved to Paris.
Protests have already been staged in Strasbourg, Toulouse, and Caen demanding his release, and several hundred protesters joined a demonstration in Paris on Wednesday (September 4).
French government calls for his release
Mr Watson was arrested in Greenland in July when refuelling his ship on his way to interrupt a Japanese whaling expedition.
He is wanted in Japan for a number of incidents, including the interception of a whaling ship where he allegedly injured a crew member with a stink bomb.
Japan issued an Interpol red notice for his arrest in 2012.
However, a 1986 global moratorium on whaling – signed by many countries including France and Denmark, but not Japan – sees the practice as illegal, making the interception of such ships a legal grey area.
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, meaning the Japanese request ultimately rests with the national Danish courts.
The French government has generally supported the ecological actions of Mr Watson.
Hervé Berville, the caretaker Minister for the Seas, has allegedly asked the Danish government to consider freeing Mr Watson.
A petition set up by Sea Shepherd, in his defence – supported by Brigitte Bardot – has also gained nearly 200,000 signatures.
Read more: Fishing is banned off west coast of France to protect dolphins
