Jailed Australian activist Colin Russell is set to appeal his detention in Russia on Friday. Source: AAP
GREENPEACE activist Colin Russell has been released on bail from a Russian jail.
The Australian was the last of the Arctic 30 being held in detention in St Petersburg, Russia, after his fellow activists were released in the past week.
A Russian court on Thursday released Mr Russell, with Greenpeace tweeting: "Excellent news! Colin Russell from Australia is granted bail."
Mr Russell's wife Christine, who departed Australia for Russia this week, said this was wonderful news.
"My daughter and I are one step closer to being in the arms of my darling Col. I am so relieved that my beautiful, peaceful man will soon be out of detention," she said in a statement released by Greenpeace.
Mr Russell, from Tasmania, was the radio operator aboard the Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise. He and the other 29 activists were detained in September following a protest against Russian oil drilling in the Arctic Sea.
He was the last to be released on bail after 71 days in detention.
Like those already released, Mr Russell will have to post bail of two million roubles ($A66,190).
Greenpeace International will put up the bail with the expectation that Mr Russell will be released by the weekend.
However, he and the others still face charges of hooliganism, downgraded from the initial charges of piracy.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific chief executive David Ritter said this was an enormous relief.
"We will not rest until Col and the rest of the crew no longer face these ridiculous charges for what was a peaceful attempt to hang a banner off an oil platform," he said in a statement.
"The crew was there to raise awareness of the risk of spills to the pristine Arctic and for this they should be congratulated, not punished."
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the government welcomed the decision to grant Mr Russell bail and looked forward to his early release from detention.
"Australian officials are seeking urgent clarification of the bail conditions that will apply to Mr Russell," he said.
"The government will continue to urge that Russian authorities extend due legal process to Mr Russell during the remainder of the investigation period."
The spokesman said Foreign Minister Julie Bishop would continue to monitor developments in the case.
If necessary, she will follow up her recent representations to her Russian counterparts.
Officials from the Australian Embassy in Moscow are continuing to provide consular support to Mr Russell and are planning to visit him as soon as practical, he said.
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