Tuesday, 22 October 2013 - 02:36
Netherlands to maritime tribunal for Greenpeace activists
Netherlands will submit a request to the International Maritime Tribunal for the release of all thirty activists from the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise.This was announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Frans Timmermans on Monday.
Netherlands began arbitration proceedings on the case two weeks ago. During this procedure, Russia was asked to immediately release ship and activists.
Greenpeace'_Arctic_Sunrise
Bicycle Bob
Wikimedia commons Because Russia did not honor the request within two weeks, the Netherlands can now ask the tribunal in Hamburg through an emergency procedure to order the Russians to comply. The hearing is expected within two or three weeks in Hamburg. The tribunal will have a verdict within a month. The arbitration procedure proceeds as normal. Timmermans will continue to try to resolve the issue through other diplomatic channels as well, according to his spokesperson. It is the first time the Netherlands turns to the Maritime Tribunal with such a request. In a response Greenpeace states to be very happy The Netherlands turned to the International Maritime Tribunal. They are confident justice will prevail. The Netherlands is prepared to suspend the procedure in Hamburg if the Russians are prepared to solve the matter among themselves, but Timmermans will only stop the procedure once ship and crew are released and have left Russia. The Arctic Sunrise was boarded by the Russian authorities last month after a protest at an oil rig in Nova Zembla . The vessel was then transferred to Murmansk. The crew, including two Dutch, are accused of piracy, and risk a sentence of up to fifteen years imprisonment in Russia. Two weeks ago, Russian investigators reported drugs were found on board the ship. This could result in extended imprisonment of the crew. According to Jasper Teulings, General Counsel of Greenpeace, the accusations are signs that Russia is looking for new motives to detain the crew of the ship, because it is increasingly clear that the indictment for piracy has no basis. It is clear the ship had no illegal drugs on board, states Teulings. The Arctic Sunrise sails under Dutch flag, and two of the thirty crew members are Dutch.
Bicycle Bob
Wikimedia commons Because Russia did not honor the request within two weeks, the Netherlands can now ask the tribunal in Hamburg through an emergency procedure to order the Russians to comply. The hearing is expected within two or three weeks in Hamburg. The tribunal will have a verdict within a month. The arbitration procedure proceeds as normal. Timmermans will continue to try to resolve the issue through other diplomatic channels as well, according to his spokesperson. It is the first time the Netherlands turns to the Maritime Tribunal with such a request. In a response Greenpeace states to be very happy The Netherlands turned to the International Maritime Tribunal. They are confident justice will prevail. The Netherlands is prepared to suspend the procedure in Hamburg if the Russians are prepared to solve the matter among themselves, but Timmermans will only stop the procedure once ship and crew are released and have left Russia. The Arctic Sunrise was boarded by the Russian authorities last month after a protest at an oil rig in Nova Zembla . The vessel was then transferred to Murmansk. The crew, including two Dutch, are accused of piracy, and risk a sentence of up to fifteen years imprisonment in Russia. Two weeks ago, Russian investigators reported drugs were found on board the ship. This could result in extended imprisonment of the crew. According to Jasper Teulings, General Counsel of Greenpeace, the accusations are signs that Russia is looking for new motives to detain the crew of the ship, because it is increasingly clear that the indictment for piracy has no basis. It is clear the ship had no illegal drugs on board, states Teulings. The Arctic Sunrise sails under Dutch flag, and two of the thirty crew members are Dutch.
