Asia/Pacific News
33 of 35 Seaman in Indian Weapons and Bunkering Case to be Released
Thirty-three crew members of the Seaman Guard Ohio have received court permission to be bailed out and will be released Friday after being held in India since October, industry news site Seatrade Global reports.
The ship's captain and the team leader of its guards will remain in jail.
The ship master faces charges related to illegal bunkering, as well as illegal importation of weapons, and crew members have been held on related charges.
Mission to Seafarers (MtS), which has been working on the case, said in a statement that it remains concerned about the welfare of the captain and security guard manager.
"We are waiting for further advice on this highly complex case but will be doing all we can to ensure that the remaining seafarers in prison and their families are supported," the group said.
"We are also waiting to find out what the next steps and timings are in preparation for a trial of all the men."
Indian police accused the ship's crew of buying illegally sold fuel from local fishermen and of bringing weapons into the country in violation of the law, charges the ship's operator, U.S. security company AdvanFort International Inc. (AdvanFort), denied.
