Netherlands-Russia

‘Activists released on bail’

Published on 21 November 2013 at 13:51

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On November 20, a court in St Petersburg granted bail to a further eight Greenpeace activists, whose Dutch-flagged vessel was stormed by the Russian navy on September 19 after the protesters tried to board a drilling platform in the Arctic Ocean, notes NRC Handelsblad.

Those granted release include Dutch national Faiza Oulahsen and the captain of the activists' vessel, the Arctic Sunrise.

To date, 24 of the 28 activists who were arrested in this operation have been granted bail. Two journalists who were accompanying them will remain in preventive custody. NRC Handelsblad notes the bail bond demanded is 2 million roubles per person, (approximately €45,000).

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In the newspaper, a Greenpeace legal expert has accused so-called “social workers” employed by Russian authorities of attempting to squeeze information from the activists in custody.

NRC adds that on November 22, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg, will rule on a case filed by the Netherlands to obtain the definitive release of all of the members of the crew and the two journalists.

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