View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
December 24, 2013

Russian authorities drop all charges against journalist Kieron Bryan

By Darren Boyle

Russian authorities have dropped all charges against British journailst Kieron Bryan who should now be free to return home in the coming days. 

The 29 year-old video journalist filmed Russian special forces fast-roping onto the deck of the Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise in September.

Bryan was among 30 people held for more than two months by Russian authorities. Initially the group was charged with piracy that could have resulted in a 15-year prison term.

The group, dubbed the Arctic 30, was released from custody last month although they could not leave Russia as they did not have the required exit visas.

It is understood that the group could secure the correct paper work on Thursday.

A Greenpeace spokesman said they need exit visas because they were charged and then bailed inside Russia after they were detained in international waters beyond Russia's territorial waters.

The Russian Parliament approved an amnesty decree last week freeing defendants who have been charged with hooliganism.

Content from our partners
How to make sure you are social media ready for job hunting
<a></a>Key ways to futureproof your media career as journalism job cuts bite deep
Slow online ads cost UK publishers £50m a year: Here's how to fix them

The group had previously been accused of piracy, but the charge was later downgraded.

The Arctic 30 were initially detained in the Russian port city of Murmansk before being moved to St Petersburg and eventually bailed.

A global campaign to free the group, spearheaded by their families and Greenpeace, put pressure on the Russian government to release them.

 

Topics in this article : ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network