Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne will move a motion in the Senate calling on the Abbott government to make an immediate and high level intervention in the case of Colin Russell, who is being held on serious and ridiculous charges in Russia over a peaceful protest against Arctic oil drilling.

“Consular support is one thing, but political intervention is needed right now,” Senator Milne said.

“Australians expect their Prime Minister to intervene on their behalf when the circumstances surrounding their incarceration are so serious and ludicrous. Common sense is out the window.

“When the Prime Minister won’t even pick up the phone to help secure the release of a peaceful protester held by a foreign power on ridiculous charges, something is seriously wrong.

“If Mr Abbott is prepared to raise the case of Australian businessmen held in the UAE with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, then why can’t he do the same with President Putin?”

The motion is copied below and will be voted on in the Senate tomorrow.

NOTICE OF MOTION
I give notice that on the next day of sitting I shall move that the Senate
1. Acknowledges the rights of global citizens to free assembly and peaceful protest.

2. Notes with deep concern the ongoing detention of two journalists and 28 crew of the Arctic Sunrise from 18 different countries who have been detained by Russian authorities since 18 September 2013 after peacefully protesting in the Pechora Sea.

3. Notes that the arrest of the Arctic 30 occurred in international waters in apparent violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

4. Notes with disappointment, the absence of meaningful Australian support at the ministerial level for the 30 people detained, including one Australian citizen, one Australian permanent resident and an Australian dual national while government leaders of the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Brazil and Germany have all made forceful representations to Russia.

5. Urges the Australian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to be in continuous, direct contact with the Russian Government to seek the urgent release of Australian citizen, Colin Russell and the other 29 individuals detained.
Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne