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Greenpeace journalist Kieron Bryan discusses prison 'shock' | Greenpeace journalist Kieron Bryan discusses prison 'shock' |
(35 minutes later) | |
A Briton jailed in Russia after being arrested on a Greenpeace ship said his imprisonment was a "baptism of fire". | A Briton jailed in Russia after being arrested on a Greenpeace ship said his imprisonment was a "baptism of fire". |
Video journalist Kieron Bryan and four other Britons arrested by Russian authorities were freed on bail on Friday after two months in detention. | Video journalist Kieron Bryan and four other Britons arrested by Russian authorities were freed on bail on Friday after two months in detention. |
Mr Bryan said he and the activists had laughed when a pre-trip briefing raised the possibility of piracy charges. | Mr Bryan said he and the activists had laughed when a pre-trip briefing raised the possibility of piracy charges. |
Greenpeace's John Sauven defended the decision to send the team to protest against drilling for oil in the Arctic. | Greenpeace's John Sauven defended the decision to send the team to protest against drilling for oil in the Arctic. |
He said awareness had been raised about the issue. | He said awareness had been raised about the issue. |
Mr Bryan, 29, from London, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the 24 hours since his release had been "incredible" and "some of the best" of his life. | Mr Bryan, 29, from London, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the 24 hours since his release had been "incredible" and "some of the best" of his life. |
Of his imprisonment, the freelance video journalist said: "No-one could believe what was happening. We discussed the legal implications of doing a protest in Russia and I remember distinctly piracy being mentioned and the laughter that followed. | |
"I can't express what a shock it was to everyone. We all thought that we would get a rap on the wrists and be sent away. So, to find ourselves facing 10 to 15 years was a very difficult time." | |
But Mr Sauven, the executive director of Greenpeace UK, said the Greenpeace ship was "seized illegally in international waters". | |
"The charges of piracy are utterly absurd," he said. | |
"This was an entirely peaceful protest. These charges are absurd and they should be dropped." | |
And when asked about whether Greenpeace intended to send another ship in to the Arctic, he said: "We have no plans to do that, but what I would say is that if people are going to be silenced or intimidated when half the oil spills in the world happen in Russia, should we be silent? | |
"Should we be intimidated? Should journalists not report that and expose what is going on?" | |
When asked if he would go on another trip of this kind, Mr Bryan said: "There has to be an honest discussion and I would love to part of that discussion with Greenpeace about what happens in the future. | |
Hooliganism and piracy | |
"Like I said, it was my first trip, so it was a baptism of fire." | |
The crew of Greenpeace's Arctic Sunrise were arrested in September on hooliganism charges following a protest at an Arctic offshore oil rig. | The crew of Greenpeace's Arctic Sunrise were arrested in September on hooliganism charges following a protest at an Arctic offshore oil rig. |
And they originally faced piracy charges. | And they originally faced piracy charges. |
The crew, hailing from 16 countries, was seized by the Russian authorities on 18 September. | The crew, hailing from 16 countries, was seized by the Russian authorities on 18 September. |
In total, 29 of the 30 detainees have been granted bail and the majority released from custody. | In total, 29 of the 30 detainees have been granted bail and the majority released from custody. |
Those freed on bail include the ship's US captain, Peter Willcox; Canadian Paul Ruzycki; the Netherlands' Faiza Oulahsen and Mannes Ubels; Switzerland's Marco Weber; Argentina's Miguel Orsi; and New Zealand's Jonathan Beauchamp. | Those freed on bail include the ship's US captain, Peter Willcox; Canadian Paul Ruzycki; the Netherlands' Faiza Oulahsen and Mannes Ubels; Switzerland's Marco Weber; Argentina's Miguel Orsi; and New Zealand's Jonathan Beauchamp. |
Bail has also been approved for Philip Ball from Oxford, Ukraine's Ruslan Yakushev, Gizem Akhan from Turkey, and Canadian Alexandre Paul but there was no news on their release. | Bail has also been approved for Philip Ball from Oxford, Ukraine's Ruslan Yakushev, Gizem Akhan from Turkey, and Canadian Alexandre Paul but there was no news on their release. |
Greenpeace has said Mr Ball might not be released until Monday, but it could not be certain. | Greenpeace has said Mr Ball might not be released until Monday, but it could not be certain. |
One detainee, Australian radio operator Colin Russell, has been ordered to remain in pre-trial detention until 24 February. Greenpeace is lodging an appeal. | One detainee, Australian radio operator Colin Russell, has been ordered to remain in pre-trial detention until 24 February. Greenpeace is lodging an appeal. |