AFTER a second meeting with the Russian Ambassador at his official residence in London recently, the MP for West Devon and Torridge has welcomed reassurance that the piracy charges are no longer applicable for those detained in Russia, and that instead those being held are now being charged with the lesser penalty of hooliganism.

The MP Geoffrey Cox was informed by the Russian Ambassador that the family of Kieron Bryan will be allowed to visit him and that preliminary decisions are likely to be made on his and others' cases within the next few weeks.

This welcome update comes just days after it was stated in the media that the hooliganism charges had been added to the piracy charges rather than replacing them, making it likely that the detainees could spend much longer being held in Russia if they were found guilty.

Mr Cox had previously met with the ambassador in October, following the debate earlier that day at which he spoke urgently about the need for the Government to appeal to Russian authorities on compassionate grounds for the safe release of the detainees.

At both meetings the MP made powerful representations on behalf of those being held, based on the compelling arguments provided by their families.

Mr Cox emphasised that those being detained are not law breakers and that they were not there to cause trouble or to engage in illegal activity.

Instead they formed part of the Greenpeace team who had travelled to Russia with the sole aim of making a peaceful protest. Alex Harris from Dolton was the communications specialist in this team who managed their social media, while Kieron Bryan, who was originally from Shebbear, was present in his role as a freelance videographer. 

Mr Cox said: 'While I am extremely pleased that progress is being made, it must be stressed that this is very much a first step in the process of bringing these young people home safely.

'The ambassador helpfully outlined to us the procedures that will apply.

'I shall continue to do all that I can to procure their freedom as soon as possible.'