Australian Colin Russell remains in detention after being refused bail on Monday, the only member of the Arctic 30 to have his bail request denied. An appeal against his continued detention has now been lodged with the Primorskiy court and a new hearing is expected to be held next week.
Tania Purtle, Jon Beauchamp’s partner said, "Obviously the whole experience has been very hard for Jon and I. It is so wonderful to know he has been granted bail. We are still experiencing an uncertain future, with the charges faced by the Arctic30 remaining in place.
"I feel for the Australian Colin Russell who for reasons unknown has not been granted bail, and his lovely family who I have grown to know during these last two months.
"I hope that before long Jon, Colin and all the Arctic30 are home with their loved ones where they belong."
Three Russian nationals, part of the so-called Arctic 30, have been released from prison, bringing to four the number of those freed after being granted bail this week by St Petersburg courts.
Amid a heavy media presence, Greenpeace International activist Andrey Allakhverdov and freelance photographer Denis Sinyakov were released from 'SIZO 1' detention centre shortly before midday in Russia and immediately reunited with their families. Greenpeace International activist Ekaterina Zaspa was released just after from the 'SIZO 5' detention centre and reunited with her husband.
All three were granted bail on Monday in the Kalininskiy Court in St Petersburg.
Mads Christensen of Greenpeace said, "This is wonderful news and we're working hard to ensure that everyone is released from detention as quickly as possible. These 30 brave men and women took action on behalf of us all to protect the Arctic from reckless oil drilling and to halt climate change. They've unjustly spent two months in detention for a crime they did not commit, locked away from loved ones. But they are still charged with a serious crime and could end up spending years in jail, while our friend Colin Russell was refused bail. Our work won’t be over until they are all free and these absurd charges are dropped.”
Activist Ana Paula Alminhana Maciel was released from prison on Wednesday. Ana Paula's passport has now been given back to her and she has been given a special registration card stating that she legally arrived in the Russian Federation.
It is not yet clear whether the same procedure will apply to all of those who are not Russian nationals, but everyone released will for now stay in St Petersburg. There is no clarity on when the Arctic 30 will be able to return home.
Today’s hearings in Primorskiy court, with local times: 10:30 Alexandre Paul (Canada), 14:00 Gizhem Akhan (Turkey). Today's hearings at the Kalininskiy court: 12:00 Iain Rogers (UK).
Contacts: Greenpeace Australia Pacific Alison Orme 0432 332 104
Greenpeace International press desk: +31 20 718 24 70 or pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org
Greenpeace International picture desk: +31 20 718 24 71
Greenpeace International video desk: +31 20 718 24 72
Photos of hearing, including Jonathon Beauchamp:
Link to 'Arctic 30 in St.Petersburg' photo shoot: (Igor Podgorny - 133 pictures):
http://photo.greenpeace.org/C.aspx?VP3=ViewBox&STID=27MZIF3NNAAN&CT=Story
Flickr set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenpeaceinternational/sets/72157637588451456/
Link to ''Arctic 30' (Photo) Part 2 collection complete set:
http://photo.greenpeace.org/C.aspx?VP3=ViewBox_VPage&ALID=27MZIF3NM2UJ&CT=Album