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Aussie activist doing well after release

Greenpeace activist Colin Russell, who was imprisoned for protesting against Arctic oil drilling, is doing well after being released from a Russian jail.

Australian Colin Russell
Russian authorities have freed Australian Greenpeace activist Colin Russell. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Greenpeace activist Colin Russell and his 29 mates have spent two months in a Russian jail and they would happily do it again.

The Tasmanian radio operator was on Friday the last of the "Arctic 30" to be granted bail in an appeal hearing.

The group of environmental activists were imprisoned in September after protesting against Russia's Prirazlomnaya oil rig in the Arctic.

"We were all pretty excited," Greenpeace campaigner Reece Turner, who travelled to St Petersburg with Mr Russell's wife Christine and daughter Madeleine, said of his release.

Mr Russell is "doing well" and the mood among the Arctic 30 was jovial, Mr Turner said.

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"He's a real character, he's cracking gags," Mr Turner said.

"The other (members of the) Arctic 30 were rebuking him for being late, spirits were very high."

Mr Russell still faces charges of hooliganism, which carry a maximum of seven years jail.

And although he's been released from jail, it's still unclear when he and his fellow protesters will be allowed to return home.

They may have to remain in Russia for three more months.

"All of the Arctic 30, they have to spend each night in a designated hotel in St Petersburg," Mr Turner told AAP from Russia.

"Whilst it's great for them to be out wandering around ... it's by no means over."

Despite losing weight and being jailed in "terrible" conditions, none of the Arctic 30 has decided to cease their fight against oil drilling in the Arctic.

"We won't be stopping our campaign in Russia," Mr Turner said.

"A lot of them said they would gladly spend another two months in jail if it did more to help protect the Arctic and bring attention to the threat of oil drilling."

Mr Russell's wife told reporters on Thursday she would remain in Russia "as long as it takes".

"We're not going home without him," she said.


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