SIR Paul McCartney has written a 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 journalists, who have been held since September, should be reunited with their families.
The "Arctic 30", who were this week moved from Murmansk to St Petersburg, face charges of hooliganism.
Sir Paul, who has met Mr Putin in the Kremlin, wrote: "Forty-five years ago I wrote a song about Russia for the White Album, back when it wasn't fashionable for English people to say nice things about your country.
"That song had one of my favourite Beatles lines in it: 'Been away so long I hardly knew the place, gee it's good to be back home.' Could you make that come true for the Greenpeace prisoners?"
Yesterday, after releasing the letter, dated October 14, 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."
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