Freed Greenpeace Activists Hit Out At Detention

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 22 November 2013 | 10.52

The latest British Greenpeace activists to be granted bail by a court in Russia have welcomed the decision - but say it should have happened sooner.

Frank Hewetson, 45, and 37-year-old Iain Rogers were among 30 people arrested by Russian security forces after an oil rig protest in the Arctic in September.

Father-of-two Mr Hewetson, from London, said: "I'm happy but it should have happened two months ago.

"i think our detention in prison has been unwarranted. We are a peaceful organisation, we are not hooligans."

His partner, Nina Gold, said: "It is a massive relief to know that Frank has been granted bail and that we can see him and talk to him soon.

"But it is not over yet - Frank and the others are still facing absurd charges carrying the threat of a long jail sentence."

When asked by Sky's Katie Stallard if he had a message for his family, Mr Rogers, from Exeter, joked: "Tell my mum I'm saving loads of money!"

Three other Britons, Alex Harris, Anthony Perrett and journalist Kieron Bryan, are also due for release after winning their bail applications on Wednesday.

Alexandra Harris, Kieron Bryan and Anthony Perrett (L to R) Ms Harris, Mr Bryan and Mr Perrett

Five of the six Britons in detention have now been given bail. The sixth, Philip Ball, will have his application heard on Friday.

More than 20 of those on the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise have now been allowed bail by courts in St Petersburg.

It follows international condemnation over Russia's treatment of the so-called Arctic 30.

Brazilian Ana Paula Maciels, 31, was the first to be released from custody on Wednesday after Greenpeace paid her £38,000 bail.

She was followed on Thursday morning by three Russians - activist Andrei Allakhverdov, photographer Denis Sinyakov and the ship's doctor Yekaterina Zaspa.

Brazilian Greenpeace activist Anna Paula as she is freed from jail on bail Ms Maciels after she was released from detention

The 'Arctic 30' were taken into custody after their vessel entered Arctic waters despite Russian warnings.

Some of the activists had tried to scale an offshore drilling platform owned by the state gas giant Gazprom.

The protesters were initially charged with piracy but this was changed to the less serious offence of  hooliganism, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years.

No date has yet been set by for their trials.

Greenpeace denies any wrongdoing and is demanding that all the activists -  who come from 18 different countries - and their ship are freed.

Prirazlomnaya oil platform protest Protesters climb the Prirazlomnaya oil platform

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appealed to Russia to be lenient with the activists, saying environmentalists play a key role in society.

"They (Russia) may have their own domestic rules and regulations but I would hope that they would have some favourable and sympathetic considerations for this case," he said.

"In this world the civil societies ... play a very important role. It is not only the government or business communities who make this world move. A very significant part is now shared by civil society, including Greenpeace."

Meanwhile, Greenpeace has unveiled giant portraits of the 'Arctic 30' as part of its campaign against drilling in the Arctic.

Vivienne Westwood at Greenpeace Exhibition outside Shell Building London Vivienne Westwood at the Arctic 30 exhibition

The black and white photographs were put up outside the London offices of oil giant Shell.

Greenpeace said it was drawing attention to Shell and Gazprom's planned oil venture in the Arctic.

Entitled Thirty Acts of Courage, the "exhibition" was officially opened by fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, who said: "I'm delighted to be able to open this exhibition celebrating the bravery of the Arctic 30.

"Their audacious efforts to protect one of the world's last remaining wildernesses from exploitation by the oil industry are an example to us all."


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