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Wife's joy after Greenpeace activist freed

The wife of Australian Greenpeace activist Colin Russell, just released on bail from a Russian jail, says she is relieved at the progress in his case.

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

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Source: AAP


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The wife of an Australian Greenpeace activist released from a Russian jail says she is relieved, but aware the family's ordeal is not yet over.

Colin Russell was released from a St Petersburg jail on Friday after two months in custody over a protest against Russia's Prirazlomnaya oil rig in the Arctic.

The Tasmanian was the last of the so-called "Arctic 30" protesters to be granted bail.

His wife Christine was in St Petersburg for his release, having vowed not to leave Russia without her husband.

In a statement released through Greenpeace on Sunday, she expressed her happiness.

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"The relief of seeing Col out of detention and having him in my arms is enormous," she said.

"It has been an extremely stressful time for him and for our family and being with him in St Petersburg is amazing."

However, Ms Russell was aware the relief felt by herself and daughter Madeleine was only temporary.

"We are living in uncertain times while the charges of hooliganism remain and we know Col could be sentenced to up to seven years jail in Russia," she said.

"For Col being able to walk free in St Petersburg is a great step forward but while he remains detained here we are still very worried about his future."

The family thanked supporters and urged the Abbott government to do all it could on behalf of Mr Russell, who was working as a radio operator on board the Greenpeace protest vessel the Arctic Sunrise.

Also among the Arctic 30 are British resident of Sydney Alexandra Harris and New Zealander Jon Beauchamp, who lives in Adelaide.


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