MOSCOW (AP) Greenpeace said Wednesday that four activists and a journalist who were detained after protesting at a Russian oil platform have been charged with piracy and could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty.
The environmental group said in a statement that activists from Brazil, Britain, Finland and Sweden as well as a British videographer have been formally charged with piracy.
The Russian Coast Guard seized a Greenpeace ship and all 30 people from 18 countries on board following the Sept. 18 protest at an offshore platform in the Arctic owned by Russian state-controlled energy giant Gazprom.
Greenpeace said in a statement that more activists are expected to be formally charged on Thursday.
The investigators said the Greenpeace ship, the Arctic Sunrise, had violated the 500-meter (500-yard) security zone around the platform and that it was carrying equipment whose purpose was still unclear.
