Greenpeace word mark Русский: Текстовый символ «Гринпис» (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Greenpeace activists denied bail in Russia
Greenpeace is confident diplomatic pressure will mean two New Zealand activists avoid piracy charges in Russia.
Jon Beauchamp and David Haussman have now both been denied bail over their protest against Arctic oil drilling. They are among 30 activists charged.
“Mr Beauchamp’s lawyer tried to argue overnight that he should be freed because of a heart condition.
Executive director of Greenpeace in New Zealand Bunny McDiarmid says there is a lot happening behind the scenes.
Ms McDiarmid says the piracy allegations are completely inappropriate but Russia could still be considering other more serious charges.
The BBC’s reports that Mr Beauchamp’s lawyer argued he should be set free on bail, there was a hotel waiting for him in Murmansk and a guarantee that he wouldn’t leave the country.
The key legal argument being made by lawyers for the Greenpeace activists is that they didn’t attack a ship so they can’t be pirates.
They argue that the activists were trying to tie themselves onto an oil rig.”
Claims they committed piracy is just unadulterated garbage. Greenpeace activists often move close to the wind, but they protest the lack of human rights throughout the world. In this recent action they protested on the high seas, not in Russian territorial waters.
My contribution on Blog Action Day October 16 2013.
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http://www.avaaz.org/en/free_the_arctic_30_loc/?bmVGOdb&v=30369
Hi Peter….thanks for posting this. I really fear for these guys as I believe the Russians are not going to be kind.
I have been a supporter of Greenpeace for many years….and will be following.
It will take me a while to catch up with blogs……
Thanks…Janet.
Greenpeace needs public support to point out that their activity is against greedy exploiters of the environment. I post occasionally on my blogs and FB.
I have always admired the Greenpeace Group and followed their adventures from afar. Would have loved to be with them all but, alas, no. There is no stopping the actions of determined and greedy men who continue to destroy our beautiful planet and bring forth filthy oil Very little we can do except to weep for the innocent animals and the loss of the green pastures and the sheer white snow.
Stay well and may your joints be always supple. JW XX
They do a great job, even under some controversial conditions at times. Somebody has to point out what greed is doing to our environment. The Russians have to be opposed because this incident happened on the high seas, not Russian territorial waters. Cheers Peter
I support Greenpeace on my blogs and on FB. Sometimes they sail close to the wind, but they do a good job for humanity.
Thanks for your comments Charlotte.
We have to have an international conscience to remind the world of its failings.