Greenpeace worker Alex Harris's family to fly to Russia 27 September 2013 Last updated at 09:57 The family of a Greenpeace activist held in Russia are preparing to fly out to visit her. Alex Harris, 27, has been in custody since Thursday last week when armed Russian officials stormed the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise. She is among 30 of the crew who have been told they face up to two months in custody while investigations continue. Cliff Harris, of Winkleigh in Devon, said the family were in shock at the Russians' reaction. Engineer Iain Rogers, 37, from Exeter, is also being held. 'Piracy' inquiry This is a totally over-the-top way of handling it by the Russian authorities End Quote Cliff Harris Father of Alex Harris Coastguards arrested the crew on suspicion of piracy after two people scaled an offshore drilling platform in the Arctic. The activists - who hail from 18 countries, including the UK - are being held in Murmansk in northern Russia pending a "piracy" inquiry. Mr Harris said "We never expected this sort of reaction from the Russian authorities. She is putting on a brave face but must be going through a terrifying experience at the moment. Miss Harris, who now lives in Australia, has been employed with Greenpeace for about two years as a digital communications worker. Activist Iain Rogers from Exeter in the UK accused the court of corruption Mr Harris said: "She was just looking forward to seeing polar bears and never thought for one minute this sort of thing would happen." Miss Harris sent an email to her parents from a Russian consular office on Thursday saying: "Hi all, still OK. Will get in touch when I can. Don't worry. I just need some fresh air. Followed her heart Mr Harris said: "She has always been passionate about the environment. This was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration so this is a totally over-the-top way of handling it by the Russian authorities. When she heard the news she was going to detained for two months she broke down a little bit, Greenpeace has told us. She is not a terrorist. She is not a bad person at all. She has followed her heart and is doing what she wants to do and she has our support. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the activists from 18 countries are clearly "not pirates" but had broken international law. Vladimir Markin, spokesman for Russia's Investigative Committee - its equivalent of the FBI - said there was a possibility that the remand orders would be lifted early as investigators clarified what roles those detained had played in the protest. Under Russian law the prosecution can ask a judge to detain people pending further investigation.