Three Britons who were arrested for a Greenpeace Arctic drilling protest by Russian officials are released on bail, alongside twelve others.
Protesters Alex Harris and Anthony Perrett and journalist Kieron Bryan are the first Britons among the “Arctic 30” to be given bail, after 12 other campaigners from the group were also released on bail pending further court action.
The 28 campaigners and two freelance journalists were accused of piracy after protests against drilling by Russian energy giant Gazprom.
Mr Bryan’s family said in a statement that their relief at his bail was “tempered by the fact that he is still facing absurd charges“.
“It’s amazing news to know that Kieron will be released from prison soon,” they added. “We have been thinking of him every minute of every day and we can’t wait to speak to him and see him.
“This isn’t over for him or the others involved and we hope that these charges will be dropped soon so that he can carry on with his life without this terrible uncertainty hanging over him.”
Cliff Harris, Alex Harris’s father, said: “We don’t know what the bail conditions are yet and of course this is not a complete a victory as these charges are still hanging over her.
“It was nice to see her come into the courtroom with a smile on her face and holding her head high. These must have been two incredibly hard months for her, and we’re incredibly proud of how she has conducted herself throughout this ordeal.”
John Sauven executive director of Greenpeace UK said:
“This rather tortuous legal process still has a long way to run, but today’s decision by the court to grant bail to Alex, Kieron and Anthony will come as a real relief to the family and friends of the three of them.
“Greenpeace will be doing everything we can to get the remaining activists released, including three Britons. All 30 are still facing ridiculously inappropriate charges for a peaceful protest against oil drilling in the Arctic.”
In a moving letter written to her family in October, Alex Harris said her incarceration was “like slowly dying”.
“I’m worried about what’s going to happen,” she said. “I have moments of feeling panicky, but then I try to tell myself that there’s nothing I can do from in here and what will be will be so it’s pointless worrying. But it’s hard. Surely my future isn’t rotting in prison in Murmansk?! Well, I really hope it isn’t.
“I’m a different person now; stronger. I cry less, which is a good thing. And I’m so appreciative of life. I will not take anything for granted now.”
Ana Paula Maciels, a Brazilian activist, was the first of the Arctic 30 to be released from prison, to the delight of her Greenpeace colleagues.
WATCH the moment Ana Paula leaves jail. Though this is the best news in 63 days, nothing’s over yet. #FreeTheArctic30 http://t.co/VkxhC3TNZQ
— Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) November 20, 2013