The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation stated that Russian sailors held in the port of Maputo (Mozambique) were hostages of a financial and property dispute. This was reported by RIA News.
The Ministry emphasized that there were 5 people on the fishing boat, 2 of whom, including the captain, were Russians. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims that as soon as it received information from the captain about the desire of the Russian crew to return to their homeland, the Russian Embassy immediately contacted local authorities.
At the same time, they emphasized that despite all efforts, “the issue of repatriation of seafarers has still not been resolved.”
“In effect, they found themselves hostage in the middle of a financial and ownership dispute between the ship-owning company and a local agency company,” the State Department said.
Prior to this the Second Western District Military Court carried out Verdict given to Northern Fleet sailor Yegor Tyukin, accused of treason.
He was also stripped of his military rank. The substance of the accusations against the sailor was not disclosed. His case was heard behind closed doors because it involved classified material.
Previously in Ukraine accused with the betrayal of a sailor who did not return a single submarine.