TODAY: Greenpeace activists denied bail; Pussy Riot prison complaints spark Amnesty appeal; release on the cards for Bolotnaya protesters? Syria resolution on chemical weapons reached; Moscow accused of ‘bullying’ its neighbours. Uralkali head moved to house arrest; Khordokovsky awarded prize.

The 30 Greenpeace activists who were detained last week for attempting to scale a Russian oil rig will be held without charge as the authorities investigate.  Nils Muiznieks, human rights commissioner for the Council of Europe argues that the denial of bail ‘clearly raises human rights concerns‘.  A Russian news photographer is among the detainees, prompting an appeal from Reporters Without Borders for his freedom.  Amnesty has urged that the authorities investigate prison abuse allegations made by Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, strenuously denied by the authorities.  A court has postponed a hearing on whether fellow member Maria Alyokhina should be released early.  Happier news for the Bolotynaya 12; apparently some lawmakers believe a planned prison amnesty will ensure their release.  The IOC is apparently ‘fully satisfied’ that Russia’s ban on homosexual propaganda does not violate the anti-discrimination guarantees of the Olympic charter.  Pop icon Elton John will proceed with his December concert in Moscow in a sign of solidarity with Russia’s gay and transgender community.