Imprisoned Greenpeace activists moved to St. Petersburg

After 55 days in a Russian prison North of the Arctic circle, Greenpeace activists arrested 2 months ago will be moved to St. Petersburg. One of the prisons that will hold them is the infamous Kresty, where political prisoners have been held through the decades. Completed under the reign of Alexander III in 1893, it is part of the dismal legacy of Romanov family. Like Putin, Alexander was interested most in consolidating power, and reversed liberal reforms of his predecessors.

Early this morning, Ben Ayliffe, Greenpeace International Arctic campaigner, commented: “We don’t yet know if the relocation of these wrongfully accused people will see an improvement in terms of their detention conditions and basic human rights. We are doing everything in our power to ensure that the Arctic 30 are transported in a humane way.”

A publication of the Russian opposition, grani.ru got a photo of a prisoner in the new location, flashing a peace sign. (below)