Brazilian Greenpeace activist officially accused of vandalism in Russia

Criado em 31/10/13 19h21 e atualizado em 31/10/13 19h26
Por Carolina Sarres Fonte:Agência Brasil

Brasília – Brazilian activist Ana Paula Maciel, 31, was officially charged this Thursday (October 31) with vandalism by Russian authorities for taking part in the protests staged on an oil rig in the country. She has been imprisoned in Russia for around two months.

Last week, a Russian court announced that the charges filed against the activists would be alleviated—from piracy to vandalism. This decision, however, has not been officialized. The 30 activists involved are being summoned individually in order to be made aware of the new charges.

As yet, no information has been released regarding the actions to be taken by the defendants’ lawyers.

The Greenpeace activists were taken to prison as they staged a protest on a Dutch-flagged ship in the Arctic, in international waters. All protesters were sentenced to preventive detention up to November 24. After this period they can be subjected to another detention or set free pending trial. Alternatively, the case may be settled before the said date.

Edited by Carolina Pimentel / Olga Bardawil
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira