The Netherlands announced legal moves on Saturday to free 30 crew members ofGreenpeace's Arctic Sunrise, charged by Russia with piracy after a protestagainst Arctic oil drilling.
Julien Vincent, who is organising a Melbourne protest rally on Saturday insupport of the "Arctic 30" crew, says the fact the Netherlands is stepping up itsaction should be a signal to Australia.
"It certainly has to help Australia's case to raise this with the Russianauthorities," he said.
"With APEC coming up, we're hoping Tony Abbott and Julie Bishop will raise itdirectly with Vladimir Putin as well.
"We're calling on any legal and diplomatic support we can get."
Tasmanian Colin Russell is among the charged Greenpeace activists and faces up to15 years in jail if found guilty over last month's environmental action.
The "Arctic 30" crew were detained in the port city of Murmansk after their ship was boarded at gunpoint by Russian authorities.
The Dutch foreign ministry said it believes the arrest of the crew was illegal and detaining the ship was unlawful.
Around 140 worldwide protests organised by Greenpeace are being held on Saturday, including in Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide, Brisbane and under Flinders Street Station in Melbourne.
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