‘My brother Kieron Bryan is a journalist not a pirate’ – Silent protest planned for Russian Embassy

The Free Kieron Bryan campaign is to hold a silent protest outside the Russian Embassy calling for the immediate release of the freelance journalist.

Bryan was arrested on 19 September aboard the Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise when it was raided by Russian special forces in international waters.

Bryan had been hired by the environmental pressure group to capture video footage of its protest against Russian attempts to drill for oil and gas within the Arctic Circle. However, he was arrested alongside 29 activists when the ship was raided.

More than 1,200 journalists – including the editors of all the major Fleet Street titles – have signed a petition calling for Bryan’s immediate release.

Petition to free Kieron Bryan, British video journalist currently imprisoned in Russia. https://t.co/6hegP6mXlt

— NUJ Netherlands (@nujNL) October 20, 2013

He has also received support from Parliament, where an Early Day Motion protesting against his continuing detention has been filed.

Also, a two-hour long debate on the international incident was held in the Westminster Hall led by Labour MP Chris Bryant.

Bryan and the other detainees face a possible 15-year jail sentence for piracy. They are all being currently held in jail pending a further hearing on 24 November.

The silent protest will be held on 2 November outside the Russian Embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens in London between 12 noon and 2pm.

Russell Bryan bro to our former colleague Kieron @ForeignOffice today. Picture by @BenGurr @FreeKieron @TheTimes https://t.co/8exMJTmoSA

— Elizabeth Orcutt (@PixEditor) October 16, 2013

Kieron’s brother, Russell has thanked the 1,200 journalists for signing the petition and asked them to step up the protest.

“We are writing to invite you to join a show of solidarity for Kieron – a silent protest by his fellow journalists, between 12 noon and 2pm, on Saturday 2nd November, outside the Russian Embassy, W8 4PQ.

“We are specifically looking to rally those who work in the media and care about documenting events, but all Kieron's supporters are welcome. We plan to present the journalists' petition to staff at the Russian Embassy.

“Kieron tells us he spends 23 hours a day alone in his cell. This is a terrible injustice. it is absolutely vital that the Russians understand that Kieron is a freelance journalist, not an activist, let alone a pirate.

“Please help us fight for the right of reporters, photographers and videographers to do their jobs without being arrested.”