NEW DEHLI, October 21 (RAPSI) – Ukrainian diplomats in India will push for the meeting with the three Ukrainian nationals that were detained with the Seaman Guard Ohio ship on suspicion of weapons smuggling, Ukraine’s embassy in India rep Roman Pyirig told RIA Novosti on Monday.
On Sunday, Indian media reported that the chief mechanic of the ship tried to hang himself on one of the ship’s masts, but was stopped by the police. The mechanic and the captain, who were the only members of the crew allowed to stay on the ship to provide maintenance, are now placed under arrest with the rest of the detained sailors.
Indian coastguards detained the ship owned by US private security company AdvanFort 15 nautical miles (27.8 km) off the port town of Tuticorin in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu on suspicion of illegally transporting weapons, according to the Maritime Bulletin.
AdvanFort president William Watson said his company provides armed counter-piracy protection and so the guards onboard the ship had “their uniforms, protective equipment, medical kits, rifles and ammunition – all of which is properly registered and licensed to AdvanFort.”