Փոլ

Let it be: Paul 

Sir Paul McCartney has written a personal letter to the Russian president calling for the release of Greenpeace activists arrested during a protest against drilling in the Arctic.

The former-Beatle told Vladimir Putin that the 28 campaigners and two freelance journalists, who have been in detention since September, should be reunited with their families.

The so-called Arctic 30, who were this week transferred from Murmansk to St Petersburg, face charges of hooliganism.

This morning, after releasing the letter on his website, he tweeted: ‘The Russian Ambassador kindly responded saying that their situation “is not properly represented in the world media”‘.

Sir Paul then tweeted: ‘It would be great if this misunderstanding could be resolved and the protesters can be home with their families in time for Christmas’ and finished by tweeting: ‘We live in hope. Paul McCartney.’

The letter said: ‘Vladimir, millions of people in dozens of countries would be hugely grateful if you were to intervene to bring about an end to this affair.

‘I understand of course that the Russian courts and the Russian Presidency are separate.

The private letter, written on October 14, added: ‘I am writing to assure you that the Greenpeace I know is most certainly not an anti-Russian organisation…And above all else they are peaceful. In my experience, non-violence is an essential part of who they are.’

Greenpeace said more than two million people have sent letters and emails calling for the Arctic 30 to be released.