More Greenpeace Activists Granted Russian Bail

Russian photographer Denis Sinyakov stands in the dock during a court session in St. Petersburg on November 18, at which his bail was set at around $61,000.

A court in St. Petersburg has granted bail to nine more Greenpeace activists.

Ana Paula Alminhana Maciel of Brazil, David John Haussmann of New Zealand, Miguel Hernan Perez Orsi and Camila Speziale of Argentine, Tomasz Dziemianczuk of Poland, Cristian D'Alessandro of Italy, Paul Ruzycki of Canada, Francesco Pisanu of France, and Sini Saarela of Finland will be released after bail of 2 million rubles ($61,300) is paid for each.

A day earlier, on November 18, the court granted bail to three Russian nationals -- Yekaterina Zaspa, Denis Sinyakov, and Andrei Allakhverdov -- who were also among 30 people from 18 countries arrested after a protest in September at a Gazprom oil rig in the Arctic.

BACKGROUND: Five Things You Should Know About Greenpeace's Russia Drama

Russia initially charged the 28 activists and two journalists with piracy, which carries up to 15 years in jail.

The charges were later changed to hooliganism, which can be punished by up to seven years.

Investigators have said the piracy charges would be dropped.

More bail hearings are under way.

In addition to the Russians, Brazilian, Canadian, Italian, Argentines, Pole, and New Zealanders, the detainees include nationals from Ukraine, Turkey, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Finland, the Netherlands, and Denmark.

Based on reporting by RIA Novosti and RFE/RL