Greenpeace activists hold world-wide rallies demanding release of Arctic Sunrise crew
MOSCOW. Oct 2 (Interfax) - Greenpeace activists have held world-wide rallies against oil extraction in the Arctic and in support of the Arctic Sunrise crew, head of Greenpeace Russia's Arctic program Vladimir Chuprov told Interfax.
"Protest rallies were held in at least 30 countries last and week and this week. These are Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Australia, Hong Kong, Finland, Switzerland and South Africa," Chuprov said.
Greenpeace activists held pickets at Gazprom gas stations in Germany on Wednesday, Greenpeace posted on its website.
"About 60 Greenpeace activists held protest rallies near all 23 Gazprom gas stations in Germany on Wednesday. Activists opposed the plans of Russian companies to extract oil in the Arctic. Activists in Berlin have chained themselves to the gas stations," Greenpeace Russia posted a statement.
The main goal of environmentalists' rallies and their supporters joining the rallies is the release of the Arctic Sunrise crew members, who tried to stage a protest rally near the Prirazlomnaya platform in the Pechora Sea against oil extraction in the Arctic, Chuprov said.
"This rally was not against Gazprom but against all companies going to the shelf, including Shell, Exxon, Statoil, Rosneft, Eni and CNPC," Chuprov said.
The next large-scale rally of Greenpeace activists is scheduled for October 5, international solidarity day.
