You're reading: The Local: Merkel criticizes Russia over Greenpeace arrests

Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced concern on Wednesday to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the detention of 30 Greenpeace members who had protested against Arctic drilling.

The environmental activists have been held on piracy charges in the northern region of Murmansk for almost three weeks after their ship Arctic Sunrise was seized by Russian security forces in a commando-style operation.

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