Russia Passes Amnesty Bill (Includes Greenpeace Crew and Pussy Riot Members)

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

RUSSIA PASSES AMNESTY BILL

By NATALIYA VASILYEVA
— Dec. 18, 2013 7:20 AM EST

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's parliament has voted for an amnesty bill that includes crew members of a Greenpeace ship and jailed members of the Pussy Riot punk band.

The State Duma on Wednesday voted 446-0 in favor of the bill, which mainly concern first-time offenders, minors and women with small children. The move has been largely viewed as the Kremlin's attempt to soothe criticism of Russia's human rights records ahead of the Winter Olympics in Sochi next year.

The amnesty makes two members of the Pussy Riot band eligible for release and will allow investigators to drop charges against the 30 members of Greenpeace's ship detained in Russia's Arctic in September.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/russian-amnesty-bill-include-greenpeace-crew

[Notafraidtoo]

1. Well at least something decent happened.

Well at least something decent came out of them getting the games, we all know if they didn't these people would not be let go.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Nothing whatsoever to do with the games

Its in celebration the 20th anniversary of their constitution.

[Blue_Tires]

6. I'm sure it's nothing more than coincidence and convenient timing...

[RoccoR5955]

3. Very good news

Those Greenpeace folks who are in jail, need to come home.
One, who is the captain of the ship, is an old friend. He was a captain on the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater years ago.
I sure hope this goes through. I would like to hear Peter Wilcox's story.

[loudsue]

5. That is wonderful!

Does the bill need anything else to happen for it to become law, and for the prisoners to be released?

[toby jo]

7. Good news. Should help provoke some 'think it through first'

moments when they get to clamping down on dissent next time.

[DinahMoeHum]

8. Never underestimate the power of embarrassment. . .

. . .and the desire to save face.

[Supersedeas]

12. image is everything and the bright shiny thing in the room abides

[oldandhappy]

9. A small step

in the face of the world spotlight.

[onehandle]

10. Russia trades prisoners for 'good will.'

Same as it ever was...

[peoli]

11. I cant wait to see what Pussy Riot and Greenpeace do for their next protests in Russia.