Putin: Greenpeace Activists Aren't Pirates

[bananas]

Source: Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Greenpeace activists apprehended after trying to scale an offshore oil platform aren't pirates, but defended the detention by saying Coast Guard officers had no way of knowing who they were. Environmentalists viewed Putin's comments as a conciliatory move.

<snip>

Putin, speaking at a forum on Arctic affairs, said that "it's completely obvious they aren't pirates." He added, however, that the officers "didn't know who was trying to seize the platform under the guise of Greenpeace.

"Especially in view of the events in Kenya, really, anything can happen," he said — referring to the deadly mall attack in Nairobi.

It was unclear whether Putin's comments might foreshadow leniency for the activists, who could face 10-15 years in prison if convicted of piracy. But Vladimir Chuprov, head of the energy department at Greenpeace Russia, welcomed the remarks as an invitation to settle the matter amicably.

"We're ready for dialogue, and I hope they will hear us," he told a news conference on Wednesday.

<snip>

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/putin-greenpeace-activists-pirates-20366253

[onehandle]

1. I'll give the little thug some leeway on this.

Greenpeace activists can take some crazy-ass risks.

[PaulaFarrell]

2. They knew exactly who they were dealing with

The Greenpeace ship has been in the area for days and they have already had confrontations with Russia (shots were fired).