Greenpeace activist home in Tasmania

RETURNED Greenpeace activist ColinRussell will need ongoing blood testsfor tuberculosis after three months' imprisonment in Russia.

Mr Russell is back home in Tasmania after an ordeal that began when he was arrested with other Greenpeace activists protesting oil drilling in the Arctic.

Flanked by wife Christine and daughter Madeleine, the 59-year-old ship's radio operator embraced friends and wished media a happy new year on his arrival at Hobart International Airport late on Thursday night.

He said his priorities were reuniting with dog George and slotting into normal life on his property south of Hobart.

"No regrets," he told waiting media.

"That's my job.

"I'm trying to give a future to our kids, our grandkids.

"We all need to stand together for that.

"If I can lead the way, great."

But Mr Russell said he had learned of tuberculosis and AIDS outbreaks in the StPetersburg jail where he was held for 71 days, and would need blood tests for the next two years..

"The jail actually reminded me of Port Arthur," he said.

"It's very rundown, everything was not really clean, dirty.

"The first floor of the men's jail had tuberculosis in it, which I didn't find out until after I'd left, and AIDS.

"It's a tough place."

Mr Russell said he'd lost several kilograms in jail, but had otherwise held up well.

"Mentally I was fine," he said.

"I like to read and I was occupied in my mind."

He said he generally treated well but described the Russian legal system as "a little bit in the old days".

But he said the Australian government could have done more in its representations with their Russian counterparts.

"They were going to let me go through the Russian legal process," Mr Russell said.

"But it doesn't exist.

"If you're accused in Russia, you're guilty.

"I thought ... maybe they should have gone into bat a little bit more for me.

"I think it was a little bit too little too late really."

Mr Russell plans to return to his job with Greenpeace after several months' leave, and says he will work on their ships again, possibly in a public relations role.

"Maybe I won't be doing some naughty things in Russian waters for a while," he said.

But he added Greenpeace's protests would continue.

"We'll still campaign the same as ever.

"That's what we do.

"I have no regrets about the time in jail if it's done the job."

Known as the Arctic 30, the group were accused of hooliganism before charges were dropped last month under an amnesty law.

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