ST. PETERSBURG: Six more Greenpeace activists arrested by Russian coast guards during a protest against Arctic oil drilling were granted bail yesterday, including the US captain of their ship, in a further sign of an easing of their treatment.
“I’m going to enjoy the fact that I can walk more than just three yards in the cell, and some fresh air,” Faiza Oulahsen, a Dutch citizen, said from the courtroom cage where she had followed the proceedings.
“I’m going to have a good meal, and I’m going to call my family because I haven’t spoken to them in more than two months.”
Eighteen of the 30 people detained on September 18 have now been granted bail this week following criticism of President Vladimir Putin over what was widely seen in the West as their harsh treatment. All previous bail requests had been refused.
None of those in pre-trial detention have their passports, and Greenpeace said it was not clear how much their movement would be restricted. One of the 30 had his detention extended by three months on Monday, and all of those aboard the Arctic Sunrise icebreaker during the protest at a Russian oil rig could still face seven-year jail terms on hooliganism charges.
Asked whether the decision to grant him bail pleased him, Captain Peter Willcox, looking tired and wearing a white and purple checkered shirt, said: “Very, very much.” He was then led out of the courtroom in handcuffs by four policemen. Willcox, 60, has been a Greenpeace activist for more than 30 years and was the skipper of the environmental advocacy group’s ship Rainbow Warrior when it was blown up and sunk by the French secret service in 1985.
Also granted bail in the city of St Petersburg, besides Oulahsen, were two Britons, Alexandra Harris and Kieron Bryan and Anne Mie Roer Jensen from Denmark, Greenpeace said. Bail was set at 2m roubles ($61,100). Of the 19 people who have appeared in court hearings so far this week, only Australian Colin Russell has had his detention extended. Greenpeace says it is baffled by the decision to keep Russell, 59, in custody for three more months. Reuters
