Russia Gov calls for release of detained sailors for allegedly smuggling arms

Russian government on Wednesday called for immediate release of the 15 sailors arrested by the Nigerian Navy for allegedly smuggling arms into the country.
Nigerian authorities intercepted a ship and arrested its Russian crew on October 23 last year after they found several guns and around 8,500 rounds of ammunition aboard.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the sailors were facing a court case initiated “under false pretexts” and that Nigeria broke a promise given to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that the men would return to Russia before the New Year.
“We expect that this time around the Nigerian partners will stick to their word and release the Russian sailors in the nearest time without additional conditions and further delays,” Reuters quoted the ministry as saying in a statement on Wednesday.
The sailors, who were kept in navy custody since their arrest in October, were handed over to the police on Monday.
“On Monday, we handed over the crew to the police as we have completed preliminary investigations,” Lieutenant Commander Jerry Omodara, spokesman for the Western Naval Command, said by telephone. “The ship and the weapons are still in our custody.”
The Moran Security Group, the Russian company that owns the confiscated vessel, called the accusations “groundless” and urged Nigeria to release the sailors.