Protests For Jailed Greenpeace Activists

Picket in support of Greenpeace activists in Murmansk, Russia on October 5.

Demonstrations have taken place worldwide to protest the jailing in Russia of 30 Greenpeace activists.

The activists are facing piracy charges after a September 18 protest at a Gazprom oil drilling platform located inside the Arctic.

On October 5, Greenpeace International's director said Russia's seizure of its ship "Arctic Sunrise" and the arrest of its crew is the worst "assault" on the group's environmental activism since its flagship "Rainbow Warrior" was bombed in 1985.

Kicking off global Greenpeace protests, international director Kumi Naidoo said "we will not be bullied and intimidated into silence."

He demanded the release of the activists, who come from 18 countries.

In London, several hundred people gathered to protest Russia's actions.

Russia showed few signs of caving to the mounting pressure.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Meshkov on October 5 called Greenpeace's actions "a pure provocation."

Based on reports by AFP and AP