Another UK member of the Greenpeace crew arrested by the Russian authorities during a protest against drilling in the Arctic has been denied bail.
Frank Hewetson was seized with 29 others on the Greenpeace ship the Arctic Sunrise on September 19 as the activists attempted to board an oil platform operated by Russian energy giant Gazprom to stop it drilling.
“The court’s refusal to grant bail to Frank Hewetson flies in the face of all logic. Frank, like the other 29 being held, presents no threat to Russia and should be allowed to return home to be with their families,” said John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK.
“Greenpeace has offered sureties that will guarantee the return of all of those charged for any future court case. This is looking a lot like punishment before conviction.”
Judges in Russia have denied bail to several Greenpeace activists over the recent days, including Brits Phil Ball and freelance video-journalist Kieron Bryan.
The activists, known as the “Arctic 30”, are facing charges of piracy and up to 15 years in jail if pronounced guilty, in a case which has prompted protests around the world.
Watch the Greenpeace video from Frank Hewetson’s bail hearing below.