Russia Drops Criminal Charges Against The Arctic 30

Russia has dropped all but one case against the Greenpeace activists known as the Arctic 30 following a massive amnesty.

UPDATE - Dec. 25, 9 p.m. ET:

On Wednesday, it was reported that all but one member of the Arctic 30 had their criminal charges dropped.

AP Photo/Greenpeace International, Dmitri Sharomov

The final activist's case will be reviewed on Thursday, Greenpeace said.

"The final chapter in the legal ordeal of the Arctic 30 began today," Greenpeace said in a written statement.

On Monday Russia announced it would drop its criminal charges against activist Anthony Perrett from Wales.

AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky

BBC Breaking News @BBCBreaking

Anthony Perrett from Newport, Wales is the first Greenpeace activist to have his case dropped in Russia, BBC learns http://t.co/NKJ25v06Z3

12:29 PM - 24 Dec 2013

BBC Breaking News

@BBCBreaking

Anthony Perrett from Newport, Wales is the first Greenpeace activist to have his case dropped in Russia, BBC learns http://t.co/NKJ25v06Z3

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All of the activists, plus two of the journalists involved, had been previously freed on bail.

AP Photo/Greenpeace International/Dmitri Sharomov

They've been granted amnesty under the same Russian law that saw the members of Pussy Riot freed earlier this week. Many people say Russia hopes this will improve the country's human rights reputation ahead of the Sochi Olympics, beginning in two months.

Handout / Via Reuters

Greenpeace International activist Anthony Perrett (R) from Britain poses with his lawyer Sergey Golubok.

Handout / Reuters

Greenpeace International activists Marco Paolo Weber (L) from Switzerland and videographer Kieron Bryan from Britain congratulate each other, after having the criminal charges against them dropped.

Handout / Reuters

Activist Miguel Hernan Perez Orsi from Argentina holds up papers certifying the termination of his criminal prosecution.