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Two Britons arrested on Greenpeace boat refused bail on piracy charges Two Britons arrested on Greenpeace boat refused bail on piracy charges
(34 minutes later)
A court in the northern Russian city of Murmansk has rejected bail appeals from two British nationals – a Greenpeace activist and a freelance journalist – before their trial on charges of piracy.A court in the northern Russian city of Murmansk has rejected bail appeals from two British nationals – a Greenpeace activist and a freelance journalist – before their trial on charges of piracy.
Phil Ball, 42, and Kieron Bryan, 29, a freelancer videographer, and were among 30 people on board a Greenpeace vessel detained by Russian coastguards in the Arctic Pechora Sea after two activists tried to scale an oil rig as part of an environmental protest. Phil Ball, 42, and Kieron Bryan, 29, a freelance videographer, were among 30 people on board a Greenpeace vessel detained by Russian coastguards in the Arctic Pechora Sea after two activists tried to scale an oil rig as part of an environmental protest.
Investigators accuse the group of trying to seize the Prirazlomnaya oil rig operated by state gas giant Gazprom. They could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Investigators accuse the group of trying to seize the Prirazlomnaya oil rig operated by state gas company Gazprom. They could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The Murmansk court has already rejected bail requests from four Russian nationals including Denis Sinyakov, a freelance photographer. On Monday the court will consider appeals from four people from Argentina, Italy, New Zealand and the United States.The Murmansk court has already rejected bail requests from four Russian nationals including Denis Sinyakov, a freelance photographer. On Monday the court will consider appeals from four people from Argentina, Italy, New Zealand and the United States.
The group of 30, comprising people from 18 countries, including six Britons and two journalists, could face new charges. On Wednesday investigators said they had found narcotics including morphine and poppy seeds on board the ship. Greenpeace said the drugs were maritime regulation standard and stored for medical purposes.The group of 30, comprising people from 18 countries, including six Britons and two journalists, could face new charges. On Wednesday investigators said they had found narcotics including morphine and poppy seeds on board the ship. Greenpeace said the drugs were maritime regulation standard and stored for medical purposes.
Vladimir Putin has publicly said he sees no grounds to classify those detained as pirates. The president's spokesman has cited this as evidence that Russia's courts are impartial.Vladimir Putin has publicly said he sees no grounds to classify those detained as pirates. The president's spokesman has cited this as evidence that Russia's courts are impartial.
John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, said Friday's court ruling "flies in the face of all reason. We have offered the Russian courts significant sureties that would guarantee the return of all those accused if and when a trial took place. The decision of the court to refuse bail looks increasingly like the Russian authorities are meting out unnecessarily harsh punishment even before any trial.John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, said Friday's court ruling "flies in the face of all reason. We have offered the Russian courts significant sureties that would guarantee the return of all those accused if and when a trial took place. The decision of the court to refuse bail looks increasingly like the Russian authorities are meting out unnecessarily harsh punishment even before any trial.
"In the case of Kieron Bryan, he is a professional journalist, travelling on the Greenpeace ship, witnessing a peaceful protest against oil drilling in the Arctic Ocean. He has committed no crime and should be released immediately.""In the case of Kieron Bryan, he is a professional journalist, travelling on the Greenpeace ship, witnessing a peaceful protest against oil drilling in the Arctic Ocean. He has committed no crime and should be released immediately."
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