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This is Exeter -- The mother of an Exeter maritime engineer behind bars in a Russian jail for his part in a Greenpeace protest in the Arctic, has met with a top British Government official. Sue Turner, mother of Iain Rogers, 37, who is one of a 30-strong international group of environmental activists who have been detained since September, was invited to London to meet Europe Minister David Lidington with the parents of the five other Britons imprisoned. Earlier this month it was reported that Prime Minister David Cameron had spoken to Russian President Vladmir during which he called for "prompt, fair and proportionate action" by the Russian judicial system to deal with their case. Putin was reportedly "understanding" of the Prime Minister's concerns. Iain's mum, from Countess Wear, described the meeting with Mr Lidington as "positive" and said she feels confident that there is a greater understanding now between the minister and the parents. "We understand there has been work behind the scenes at a high level but we don't know what," she said. "We came away feeling that he understands our concerns better now and how strongly we feel that we need more information." The MPs of some of the other parents were also present at the meeting. East Devon MP Hugo Swire, who is also the Minister of State for the Foreign Office, was unable to attend due to being in India for trade talks but a member of his office attended in his absence. "We are confident Iain and the others will have more consular contact now and we are hoping phone calls will be arranged," continued Mrs Turner. The activists from the environmental charity were protesting against one of Russia's largest oil companies, Gazprom, which was about to start drilling in the sea when their ship, the Arctic Sunrise was boarded by armed members of the Russian coast guard. The group, including a Devon video-journalist Kieron Bryan and former Devon resident, Alexandra Harris, has been behind bars since September 18, and denied bail. All 30 were charged with piracy – which carries a 10- to 15-year prison sentence – but last month Mrs Turner said she was informed by Greenpeace officials that 17 had the charge of piracy dropped against them, replacing the charge with hooliganism, which carries a seven year jail term. However the charges of piracy have not since been formerly dropped. The case of piracy was due to be heard at the end of November but due to the "complexity" of the situation, Mrs Turner said she does not know for certain what is going to happen. On Tuesday, November 12, the Arctic 30 arrived in St Petersburg from their prison cells in Murmansk, where they were due to be taken to different prisons in the city. Mrs Turner did not know where her son was being taken. "It's a lot further south so at least it will be a bit warmer with more daylight hours," she added. "As far as I know he's doing okay."
Reported by This is 3 days ago.
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This is Exeter -- The mother of an Exeter maritime engineer behind bars in a Russian jail for his part in a Greenpeace protest in the Arctic, has met with a top British Government official. Sue Turner, mother of Iain Rogers, 37, who is one of a 30-strong international group of environmental activists who have been detained since September, was invited to London to meet Europe Minister David Lidington with the parents of the five other Britons imprisoned. Earlier this month it was reported that Prime Minister David Cameron had spoken to Russian President Vladmir during which he called for "prompt, fair and proportionate action" by the Russian judicial system to deal with their case. Putin was reportedly "understanding" of the Prime Minister's concerns. Iain's mum, from Countess Wear, described the meeting with Mr Lidington as "positive" and said she feels confident that there is a greater understanding now between the minister and the parents. "We understand there has been work behind the scenes at a high level but we don't know what," she said. "We came away feeling that he understands our concerns better now and how strongly we feel that we need more information." The MPs of some of the other parents were also present at the meeting. East Devon MP Hugo Swire, who is also the Minister of State for the Foreign Office, was unable to attend due to being in India for trade talks but a member of his office attended in his absence. "We are confident Iain and the others will have more consular contact now and we are hoping phone calls will be arranged," continued Mrs Turner. The activists from the environmental charity were protesting against one of Russia's largest oil companies, Gazprom, which was about to start drilling in the sea when their ship, the Arctic Sunrise was boarded by armed members of the Russian coast guard. The group, including a Devon video-journalist Kieron Bryan and former Devon resident, Alexandra Harris, has been behind bars since September 18, and denied bail. All 30 were charged with piracy – which carries a 10- to 15-year prison sentence – but last month Mrs Turner said she was informed by Greenpeace officials that 17 had the charge of piracy dropped against them, replacing the charge with hooliganism, which carries a seven year jail term. However the charges of piracy have not since been formerly dropped. The case of piracy was due to be heard at the end of November but due to the "complexity" of the situation, Mrs Turner said she does not know for certain what is going to happen. On Tuesday, November 12, the Arctic 30 arrived in St Petersburg from their prison cells in Murmansk, where they were due to be taken to different prisons in the city. Mrs Turner did not know where her son was being taken. "It's a lot further south so at least it will be a bit warmer with more daylight hours," she added. "As far as I know he's doing okay."
Reported by This is 3 days ago.
