The transport to St Petersburg of thirty men and women detained by Russia following a peaceful protest at an Arctic oil platform started at around 5:00am Monday, local time. Greenpeace International understands the move is taking place by prisoner train. Lawyers for the thirty who tried to visit them in Murmansk this morning were told by officials at the detention centre that all thirty were already being transported.
Commenting on the prison transfer, Ben Ayliffe, Greenpeace International Arctic
campaigner, commented: “We don’t yet know if the relocation of these wrongfully
accused people will see an improvement in terms of their detention conditions
and basic human rights. We are doing everything in our power to ensure that the
Arctic 30 are transported in a humane way.”
The most common method of transporting detainees in Russia is by a prison
wagon, which can be attached to either a passenger train or cargo train.
Detainees are placed in special carriages, containing cells. These cells have
two wooden bunk beds on each side, so there is space for four people. It is not
confirmed the thirty are travelling in such conditions. “From the information
we have these cars are not heated,” said Ayliffe. “We have advised the thirty
to dress in warm clothes and shoes. We have also organised prompt deliveries of
additional supplies of warm outfits, in addition to the garments that we have
been able to get to them in the last couple of weeks.”
Why the Arctic 30 are being moved to St Petersburg is still unclear. It might
take from 24 to 72 hours before it becomes clear which detention centre or
centres the Greenpeace prisoners and freelance journalists have been moved to.
There are many pre-trial detention centers in St Petersburg.
Ben Ayliffe added: “At the heart of the matter is the simple basic truth that
their incarceration is unlawful. These people are neither pirates, nor
hooligans, they are innocent. They should be released as soon as possible.
Peacefully protesting for the protection of the pristine Arctic is not a crime,
it is a great service to mankind. The detainees shouldn’t be in jail at all,
they should be free to join their families and to restart their lives.”
St Petersburg has some daylight in the winter months, unlike Murmansk. And
families and consular officials would find it easier to visit the thirty. But
there is no guarantee that conditions inside any new detention centre will be
any better than in Murmansk.
As of now the Arctic 30 are still charged with both piracy and hooliganism. No
official confirmation has been given by the Russian authorities that the charge
of piracy has been dropped, even though they clearly stated to the world’s
media that this absurd charge would be withdrawn.The Arctic 30 now stand
accused of both offences, which carry a maximum sentence of 15 and 7 years,
respectively.
The families of all 6 UK nationals being held by the Russian authorities following their seizure from the Arctic Sunrise on the 19th September will meet a government Minister for the first time this afternoon.
The meeting will be with Foreign Minister David Lidington Minister of State for Europe, whose brief includes Russia.
Following the meeting, the families will be holding a press briefing where they will go into detail about the results of their meeting with the Minister. The briefing will start at 16.00hrs
The Press Briefing will be held at
1 Great George Street
Westminster
London
SW1P 3AA
http://www.onegreatgeorgestreet.com/
To register for the press briefing email Niall Sookoo
ENDS
Contacts:
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
