Russian court releases Australian activist

A Russian court has granted bail to Australian Colin Russell, the last of 30 Greenpeace crew members detained since their September protest against Arctic oil drilling, theaustralian.com.au reported. The Australian was the last of the Arctic 30 being held in detention in St Petersburg, Russia, after his fellow activists were released in the past week. A Russian court on Thursday released Mr Russell, with Greenpeace tweeting: "Excellent news! Colin Russell from Australia is granted bail." Mr Russell's wife Christine, who departed Australia for Russia this week, said this was wonderful news. Mr Russell, from Tasmania, was the radio operator aboard the Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise. He and the other 29 activists were detained in September following a protest against Russian oil drilling in the Arctic Sea. He was the last to be released on bail after 71 days in detention. Like those already released, Mr Russell will have to post bail of two million roubles ($A66,190). Greenpeace International will put up the bail with the expectation that Mr Russell will be released by the weekend. However, he and the others still face charges of hooliganism, downgraded from the initial charges of piracy. Greenpeace Australia Pacific chief executive David Ritter said this was an enormous relief. "We will not rest until Col and the rest of the crew no longer face these ridiculous charges for what was a peaceful attempt to hang a banner off an oil platform," he said in a statement.