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Russia’s environmental scientists can sleep a little easier. Since 1996, they have been watching the case of Alexander Nikitin, a former Soviet naval officer who was charged with spying after helping Western environmentalists uncover the extent of radioactive pollution in the Russian Arctic. Some scientists feared they would face similar charges if they published data on Russian environmental pollution. Nikitin was imprisoned for 10 months after his arrest, and later confined to St Petersburg. But on 29 December, a court in the city ruled that the charges against him violated Russia’s constitution. The St Petersburg prosecutor has appealed against the decision, but Nikitin’s supporters are confident it will stand.