Safety · Reykjavik
Iceland seeks to expel 21 anti-whaling activists after intercepting Paul Watson Foundation ship
Police request expulsion and a re-entry ban for the crew of the Bandero, arrested Thursday after interfering with the Hvalur 9 whaling vessel. The decision is expected next week.
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In brief
21 activists from 11 countries were arrested on 30 July after their ship, the Bandero, interfered with the Icelandic whaler Hvalur 9.
Icelandic police accuse them of violating international maritime law, endangering safety at sea, and breaching telecommunications regulations.
The police have requested expulsion and a ban on re-entry rather than detention; immigration authorities will decide next week.
The Paul Watson Foundation says the detention has exceeded 36 hours, longer than the 24-hour legal limit, and calls it illegal.
Iceland resumed commercial whaling this summer after a two-year suspension, joining Norway and Japan as the only countries still permitting the practice.
- 30 JulCoast guard and police special units board Bandero, arrest 21 crew members.
- 31 JulActivists held on board, phones confiscated.
- 1 AugPolice formally request expulsion and re-entry ban; decision expected next week.
Arrest at sea
On the evening of 30 July, the Icelandic coast guard and police special units boarded the Bandero, a vessel operated by the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, and arrested all 21 people on board. The operation followed a request for assistance from the crew of the Hvalur 9, one of Iceland's last two commercial whaling ships, who said they felt threatened by the activists. According to the coast guard, the Bandero had ignored repeated orders to leave Icelandic territorial waters and then to stop its engines. The foundation stated that the Bandero had been monitoring and following the Hvalur 9 for several weeks before the interception.
“The activists are accused of violations of international maritime law and endangering maritime safety, as well as other offences including breaches of telecommunications regulations.”
The ship was escorted to the port of Reykjavik, where the crew remained detained on board and had their phones confiscated.
Whaling resumes after two-year pause
Iceland resumed commercial whaling this summer after a two-year suspension driven by poor economic conditions and low profitability. The season runs from mid-June to mid-September. Iceland is one of only three countries, alongside Norway and Japan, that still permit commercial whaling. The Hvalur 9 is one of just two whaling vessels still active in Icelandic waters, making it a focal point for anti-whaling campaigners.
International crew and detention conditions
The 21 detainees come from 11 countries: five Americans, four Brazilians, three French, two Spaniards, and one national each from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Trinidad and Tobago. Paul Watson himself was not on board. The foundation has condemned the detention, claiming it has lasted more than 36 hours, exceeding the 24-hour limit permitted under Icelandic law.
“The detention has lasted more than 36 hours, longer than the 24 hours permitted by Icelandic legislation.”
- United States
- 5 people
- Brazil
- 4 people
- France
- 3 people
- Spain
- 2 people
- Australia
- 1 people
- Belgium
- 1 people
- Canada
- 1 people
- Germany
- 1 people
- United Kingdom
- 1 people
- Switzerland
- 1 people
- Trinidad and Tobago
- 1 people
Data from the article text
Expulsion request and next steps
On Saturday 1 August, police spokesman Gunnar Runar Sveinbjörnsson announced that authorities had requested the expulsion of all 21 crew members, along with a ban on re-entering Iceland, rather than seeking their detention. The final decision rests with the immigration authorities.
“A decision is expected next week.”
If granted, the expulsion would remove the activists from Iceland and bar their return, effectively ending their campaign in Icelandic waters for the foreseeable future.
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Sources and context
- 20minutesTrois Français militants anti-chasse à la baleine arrêtés en Islande
- vrtnws.beIJsland arresteert 21 activisten tegen de walvisjacht, onder wie ook 1 Belg | VRT NWS Nieuws
- SudOuest.frIslande : expulsion demandée pour 21 militants anti-chasse à la baleine
- 7sur7L'Islande veut expulser 21 militants anti-chasse à la baleine, dont un Belge
- Paul Watson
- Founder of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation; not on board the Bandero
- Places
- Reykjavík
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