A St Petersburg court has bailed two Russian nationals who were among 30 Greenpeace crew members arrested during a protest in the Arctic.
A separate court has extended the pre-trial detention of an Australian activist, Colin Russell, for a further three months.
They were among 28 activists and two journalists on a Greenpeace ship seized by the Russian coastguard on September 18.
A judge yesterday ordered the release of freelance photographer Denis Sinyakov and ship doctor Yekaterina Zaspa, 37, on bail of 2million rubles (£38,000) each, but declined to free Australian activist Colin Russell.
Six Britons are among those detained. Relatives of British journalist Kieron Bryan say his lawyer asked for his case to be adjourned until tomorrow.
Investigators had asked courts to extend the detention period of all 30. Other hearings are expected in the coming days.
Mads Christensen, of Greenpeace International, said: “This is of course positive news, but this does not mean Yekaterina’s ordeal is in any way over.
“She may be released on bail, but she is still charged with hooliganism, the charge of piracy has not been officially withdrawn, and therefore she still faces maybe 20 years in jail for a crime she didn’t commit.
“And of course our beloved friend and colleague Colin did not get bail and is being sent back to a Russian prison cell for a further three months. The case against the Arctic 30 has descended into high farce. An Australian environmentalist without a passport is refused bail on the grounds that he could flee the country or interfere in an investigation into a peaceful protest in the Arctic, while another detainee arrested in identical circumstances is told she can leave jail. They should all be released from prison. This is a scandal, this bears no relation to the administration of justice. We will do everything we can to get our people out.”
John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, said: “There is no rational reason to release one activist on bail and keep another in prison for three months. The Russian courts are making decisions that have a huge impact on the detainees and their families in what appears to be a completely arbitrary manner.”
“We will be appealing all decisions denying bail to our activists and the two journalists imprisoned with them.”