NORWAY-ENVIRONMENTALISTS-RELEASE
Norwegian authorities release Greenpeace activists detained during protest against oil extraction in Barents Sea
MOSCOW. Aug 22 (Interfax) - Greenpeace activists have been released from custody by Norwegian authorities following a protest action against oil extraction in the Barents Sea, the organization's press service said.
The Greenpeace Arctic Sunrise vessel and 35 Greenpeace environmental campaigners, including Russian woman Tatyana Vasilyeva, who were arrested in Norway during a protest against oil drilling, were released on Monday, a statement obtained by Interfax on Tuesday said.
According to earlier reports, the Russian Vasilyeva was detained along with other activists by the Norwegian coast guard during a Greenpeace protest action off the Songa Enabler oil rig belonging to the Norwegian Statoil company. Participants in the action closely approached the oil rig via kayaks and unfolded red banners with slogans against oil extraction in the Arctic. Following the action the Greenpeace Arctic Sunrise vessel and all of its 35 crewmembers, including activists on kayaks, were arrested by the Norwegian coast guard, and the ship was towed to the port of Tromso.
Greenpeace said the action had been peaceful and had not been at odds with sea law. The organization deems the coast guard's actions illegal.
The Greenpeace Arctic Sunrise vessel was earlier caught up in a scandal following similar actions against offshore oil extraction on the Russian Prirazlomnaya offshore ice-resistant fixed platform in 2013.
