This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25504016

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Russia drops first Greenpeace Arctic 30 case Russia drops first Greenpeace Arctic 30 case
(about 3 hours later)
Russian authorities have dropped criminal charges against the first of 30 people accused of taking part in a Greenpeace protest in the Arctic.Russian authorities have dropped criminal charges against the first of 30 people accused of taking part in a Greenpeace protest in the Arctic.
The BBC has learned the man is Anthony Perrett from Newport in south Wales, who is preparing to leave Russia. Anthony Perrett, from Newport, south Wales, said it was a "great relief" to have the case against him dropped.
He was in the group of 28 activists and two freelance journalists arrested in September as they staged a protest at a Russian offshore oil rig.He was in the group of 28 activists and two freelance journalists arrested in September as they staged a protest at a Russian offshore oil rig.
They were all charged with hooliganism - but have all been freed on bail.They were all charged with hooliganism - but have all been freed on bail.
They are being granted amnesty under a new Russian law, signed ahead of the Olympic Winter Games in Russia in February, which has seen several high-profile releases in recent days.They are being granted amnesty under a new Russian law, signed ahead of the Olympic Winter Games in Russia in February, which has seen several high-profile releases in recent days.
Greenpeace said on Tuesday that one man from the "Arctic 30" group had been told his case was now closed, and that others were expected to receive notice soon. Greenpeace confirmed on Tuesday that one man from the "Arctic 30" group had been told his case was now closed, and that others were expected to receive notice soon.
An earlier report saying that three people had been notified for release was later corrected.An earlier report saying that three people had been notified for release was later corrected.
The Greenpeace statement did not name the man but the BBC has learned it is Mr Perrett, 32. Mr Perrett, 32, later told BBC Wales that despite his ordeal, he was still proud of his actions.
He told BBC Wales last month that the protest had been aimed at securing a legally binding international agreement against oil drilling in the Arctic. "It's a great relief to have the criminal proceedings finally dropped," he said.
He said his resolve to fight for environmental causes had been strengthened by his arrest. "From our point of view, we are entirely innocent. The only crimes being committed in the Arctic are those of the oil industry. So, we're relieved but we're not happy. Crimes are still being committed in the Arctic and that is of great concern to us all."
Mr Perrett has been told that he can collect his exit visa on Boxing Day.
Twenty-six of the group are foreigners - six of them Britons - and Greenpeace said they would be free to leave Russia once they had the right stamps in their passports.Twenty-six of the group are foreigners - six of them Britons - and Greenpeace said they would be free to leave Russia once they had the right stamps in their passports.
"We know that getting those stamps would be the best Christmas present for the Arctic 30 and we hope it can happen quickly, but until such time as they do, we still cannot say when they will leave," it said in a statement."We know that getting those stamps would be the best Christmas present for the Arctic 30 and we hope it can happen quickly, but until such time as they do, we still cannot say when they will leave," it said in a statement.
'Legal protest''Legal protest'
The detainees, from 16 different countries, had sailed to an oil rig operated by Russia's state-run energy company Gazprom in September.The detainees, from 16 different countries, had sailed to an oil rig operated by Russia's state-run energy company Gazprom in September.
They were intercepted by Russian coastguards, who fired warning shots as some activists tried to climb on board the rig. They were intercepted by Russian coastguards, who fired warning shots as some activists tried to climb on board the rig. Their ship, the Arctic Sunrise, was seized.
Their ship, the Arctic Sunrise, was seized. The group was initially charged with piracy but the charges were later reduced to hooliganism. They denied the charges, saying their protest had been peaceful and legal.
The group was initially charged with piracy but the charges were later reduced to hooliganism.
They denied the charges, saying their protest had been peaceful and legal.
The Russian amnesty law was passed last week by the State Duma and could see the release of some 20,000 people.The Russian amnesty law was passed last week by the State Duma and could see the release of some 20,000 people.
It was approved as part of celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the adoption of Russian constitution.It was approved as part of celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the adoption of Russian constitution.
On Monday Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, two members of punk protest band Pussy Riot jailed for staging an anti-government protest in a Moscow cathedral, were freed.On Monday Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, two members of punk protest band Pussy Riot jailed for staging an anti-government protest in a Moscow cathedral, were freed.
The women said the amnesty had been a PR stunt by the government ahead of the Sochi Games. Tolokonnikova called on countries to boycott the Games.The women said the amnesty had been a PR stunt by the government ahead of the Sochi Games. Tolokonnikova called on countries to boycott the Games.
In an earlier move unrelated to the amnesty, former Russian tycoon and prominent Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky was pardoned and released after more than 10 years in prison for theft and tax evasion.In an earlier move unrelated to the amnesty, former Russian tycoon and prominent Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky was pardoned and released after more than 10 years in prison for theft and tax evasion.