09/25/2013 // West Palm Beach , Florida, US // JusticeNewsFlash // Justice News Flash // (press release)
Moscow – Russian President Vladimir Putin defended the actions of Coast Guard officers in their detention of Greenpeace activists last week, but asserted that those apprehended are not pirates. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), Putin stated the Coast Guard had no means of knowing who they were when seizing the Greenpeace ship.
The Coast Guard towed the ship with 30 activists on board after seizing it on September 18. The detainees were being questioned in Murmansk where they were taken, by authorities while piracy charges are being considered.
Putin is quoted by the AP as stating while speaking at a forum on Artic affairs, “I don’t know the details of what went on, but it’s completely obvious they aren’t pirates.”
He is further quoted as stating the officers “didn’t know who was trying to seize the platform under the guise of Greenpeace. Especially in view of the events in Kenya, really, anything can happen.”
The activists who were detained are from 18 countries. Those facing charges of piracy could receive 10-15 years if convicted.
This report is provided by Justice News Flash – World Legal News
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