14 Greenpeace activists charged with piracy in Russia

The L.A. Times reports:

Fourteen Greenpeace activists were charged with piracy Wednesday in connection with their protest at a Russian oil platform in the Arctic, an official of the environmental group said.

The charges, issued by prosecutors in Murmansk, carry a sentence of up to 15 years in prison and reflect the seriousness with which Russia regards any threat to its energy industry, the foundation of its economy. They also may hint at the ascendancy of hard-liners in President Vladimir Putin's Kremlin, one analyst said.

Vladimir Chuprov, head of Greenpeace Arctic, said the 14 — who included activists from Finland, Britain, Brazil, the United States and Russia — were charged with organized group piracy.

Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch.