Russian Dumas performs hooliganism U-Turn

In a dramatic turn of events apparently instigated by President Putin, Moscow’s parliament has decided by a vote of 446-0 to amend Russian Amnesty legislation to include those charged with the controversial offences of “hooliganism.”

The new inclusion will now allow prosecutors to consider releasing two members of the punk band Pussy Riot, and to drop charges against those involved in the recent Greenpeace protest against drilling in the Arctic. The activists and journalists were arrested at gunpoint on a GazProm oil platform and spent over 3 months in detention before being released earlier this month on bail. Videographer Kieron Bryan is one of six Britons who may now be able to rejoin his family and friends for Christmas, subject to being granted an exit visa by the Russian authorities.

Corker Binning partner Robert Brown has been working closely with the Bryan family, Greenpeace and lawyers in Russia due to his specialist knowledge of the Russian justice system and expertise in matters connected with international law.