MOSCOW, October 8 (RAPSI) – A court in Nigeria has acquitted seven Russian sailors on arms-smuggling charges, according to the Russian consulate in the west African nation.
The ruling follows months of concerted high-level diplomacy between the two countries to secure the release of the Russians.
Nigerian authorities detained a crew of 15 Russians on the MV Myre Seadiver in the port of Lagos in October 2012 after finding weapons, including 14 Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifles and around 8,000 rounds of ammunition, on board. Eight of the sailors were cleared in June.
Moscow-based security firm Moran Security Group, which owned the vessel, said the arsenal was designed to provide protection against pirates, who often attack ships along the Nigerian coast.
The Myre Seadiver is an auxiliary vessel used to support maritime oil extraction and transport operations.
The owner earlier said the vessel had been authorized to make a port call in Lagos three weeks before its arrival and had all the necessary documents declaring the presence of weapons on board.
