Arctic Sunrise: Murmansk court arrests first Greenpeace activist

Leninsky court in the city of Murmansk, Northern Russia, has ruled to arrest for two months until November 24 a camera operator from the detained Greenpeace icebreaker Arctic Sunrise. Denis Sinyakov is the first environmental activist from the vessel to be placed under legal restraint, detention sought by detectives from the Russian Investigative Committee's north-western district. Officials are investigating a Greenpeace attempt to board the oil platform Prirazlomnaya.All 30 crewmembers detained, from 19 countries and including four Russians, face trial. The court plans rulings on them all on Thursday. Greenpeace lawyers are studying case files, environmental movement official Maria Favorskaya told Itar-Tass. Legal action follows events on September 18 when Arctic Sunrise maneuvered around the oil platform as Greenpeace activists sought to board the structure. Border Service guards prevented their bid and the ship was towed to the port of Murmansk. Detectives opened a criminal case alleging piracy but prosecution officials say the charge may be changed during the investigation.