Russia Rushes Greenpeace Ship, Holds Crew at Gunpoint
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File photo. Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Greenpeace says one of its ships was illegally boarded by armed Russian security officers in the Arctic.
The group, an independent global organization for environmental protection, says on its website that 30 of its activists are being held at gunpoint after the Russians rappelled onto the deck from helicopters.
Several of the activists said on Twitter that some of the crew had been kicked and punched by Russians brandishing guns and knives.
The ship, called Arctic Sunrise, is on a mission to protest Russia’s oil exploration in the Arctic.
Earlier this week, activists tried to climb onto an oil rig, but were showered with icy cold water and threatened by security.
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