Greenpeace International activists Phil Ball (left, UK) and Camila Speziale (ARG) show their relief following a decision by the Russian Parliament adopting an amnesty ending legal proceedings against the Arctic 30.

The Duma has officially adopted an amendment that extends an amnesty decree to defendants who have been charged with hooliganism. It therefore includes the Arctic 30 (28 activists and two freelance journalists) who were arrested, following a peaceful protest at a Gazprom-operated Arctic oil platform.

The legal proceedings against the Arctic 30 will now come to an end and the 26 non-Russians will be free to return home to their families as soon as they are given exit visas by the Russian authorities.