CAIRO (Sputnik) — Libyan authorities have released the majority of the crew of the Russian-flagged oil tanker Mekhanik Chebotarev, keeping the captain and his two deputies in custody awaiting trial, the country's prosecutor-general's office said Friday.
18 December 2015, 12:41 GMT
"Seven sailors were released several days ago, while the case against the captain and his deputies has been sent to court. They have been charged with contraband," head of the investigative committee under the prosecutor-general's office, Al-Sadiq al-Sour told RIA Novosti.
On September 16, forces loyal to the Tripoli-based Libyan government, which is not recognized internationally, had seized the Russian oil tanker Mekhanik Chebotarev and detained 12 Russian crew members on suspicion of oil contraband when the ship was en route to the northwestern Libyan port of Zuwarah.
Two of the crew members were released in October.
