The Netherlands has launched a legal action against Russia after its charged 30 Greenpeace activists with piracy.
The activists – including two Dutch citizens – on board the Dutch-registered Arctic Sunrise were seized by Russian authorities for staging a protest at Gazprom’s Prirazlomnaya platform in September.
On Thursday all of the detained were charged with piracy, which could result in 15 year sentences.
“I really want to consult with my Russian colleagues…to get these people freed as soon as possible,” said Frans Timmermans, Dutch foreign minister.
“I don’t understand why this could be thought to have anything to do with piracy; I don’t see how you could think of any legal grounds for that.”
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