The executive director of Greenpeace, Kumi Naidoo (file photo)
Greenpeace Chief Calls For Immediate Release
MOSCOW -- The executive director of Greenpeace International says he is ready to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to secure the release of his people from Russian custody.
Talking to RFE/RL on October 11, Kumi Naidoo said his organization's September protest in Arctic waters targeted not the Russian government but Gazprom.
Twenty-eight Greenpeace activists and two journalists, including citizens of 18 countries, have been held since their ship was seized by the Russian Coast Guard after two activists tried to scale a Gazprom offshore-drilling platform.
They were later charged with piracy, and could face of up to 15 years in jail.
Naidoo said his organization took similar action against other countries' companies in the past and the longest prison term ever served by a Greenpeace activist was six months.
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