Paul McCartney Appeals To Putin To Release Greenpeace Activists

Former Beatle Paul McCartney says he sent a personal letter last month to President Vladimir Putin asking for the release of 30 Greenpeace activists and journalists detained in Russia since September.

McCartney said on November 14 that he hasn't received a reply yet to his letter, dated October 14.

In the letter, published on November 14 on his webpage, McCartney called Putin "Dear Vladimir" and wrote that "millions of people in dozens of countries would be hugely grateful" if the Russian leader himself pleaded with the courts to release the activists.

The group of 30 were detained after a protest in September at a Gazprom oil rig in the Arctic.

McCartney reiterated his appeal for the activists' release, saying, "It would be great if...the protesters can be home with their families in time for Christmas."