Greenpeace need ‘frank discussions’ on future oil protests
Boat trip that ended in two months imprisonment and hooliganism charge was “baptism of fire”, says bailed journalist Kieron Bryan.
A journalist who spent two months in a Russian prison after the Russian army stormed the Greenpeace protest boat he was on has said that Greenpeace needs to have “frank discussions” about future oil protests.
Kieron Bryan, released from prison in St Petersburg yesterday on bail, told BBC Radio 4 that “there has to be some honest discussion” about the future of oil protests.
“I do think there needs to be some consideration if the changing landscape politically on the global scale … The desire for oil is getting greater and as that happens the political pressure put on people like myself and Greenpeace will increase. So, I hope there are some frank discussions.”
Mr Bryan said the group were briefed about the risks before the trip: “We discussed the legal implications of doing a protest in Russia. I remember distinctly piracy being mentioned and the laughter that followed.”
But the storming of the ship and the initial charge of piracy came as a devastating shock.
“I can’t stress what a shock it was to everyone. We all thought that we would get a rap on the wrists and then be sent away, so to find ourselves facing 10 to 15 years was a very difficult time.”
Greenpeace UK’s executive director John Sauven insisted that all those who had been on the Arctic Sunrise vessel had been given a proper briefing about the risks involved and stressed that the organisation would not be intimidated, although there were no plans for another protest in Russia.
The 30 people on board the Arctic Sunrise – 28 activistists and two journalists – have been in prison for two months. They have been charged with hooliganism and are on bail pending trial.
Australian still in prison
Mr Bryan is one of five Britons released from prison on bail. The others are Anthony Perrett, from Newport in south Wales, Alexandra Harris from Exeter, Iain Rogers from Devon, and Frank Hewetson from London. A sixth, Philip Ball from Oxford has been granted bail but remains in detention.
Only one of the 30 people on board has been refused bail – Australian Colin Russell, a radio engineer.
Long shower
On his release yesterday, Mr Bryan spoke of the experience of being inside Russian prison.
“More than anything, it’s the isolation and not being able to speak to anyone, not being able to speak a common language. Being trapped in a cell for 24 hours a day is something I don’t ever want to experience again, and there are a lot of people inside who have to carry on doing that.
“My plan now is to go to a hotel and have a long shower, leave my room whenever I want, never do another sudoku puzzle again, and speak to my family. That’s the main plan.”
The bailed protestors don’t know yet if they can leave Russia while the trial is pending.
Greenpeace International Arctic campaigner Ben Ayliffe said: “This saga is far from over.
“The detainees who were released yesterday slept well last night, though some of them stayed up late talking and talking, sharing experiences. They’ve been enjoying the taste of good food and the feel of thick mattresses, but they keep talking about Colin, asking when he’ll be out, and they don’t yet know if they can go back home or if they’ll have to stay in St Petersburg.”