MOSCOW, October 6 (RAPSI) – Russian sailors Alexey Perfilyev, Valentin Nechai, and Vyacheslav Sechin, captured in May by pirates on hijacked vessels Djibloho and Rio Mitong off the coast of Equatorial Guinea and held in the territory of Nigeria since then, were freed, according to Russia’s Rights Commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova.

The Ombudsman welcomed their release and wished they returned home as soon as possible.

In late September, she turned to UN Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet and Head of Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission Anthony Ojukwu seeking their help in protection of Russian sailors kidnapped by pirates.

According to the information available to the Ombudsman, Russian citizens were held in unacceptable conditions in a tent camp; their lives are in grave danger.

Piracy, abduction, extrajudicial restraints are unacceptable in the modern world as such unlawful actions condemned by the progressive humankind undermine the principles enshrined in universal international acts on human rights and liberties, Moskalkova’s stated.

The Ombudsman urged to undertake all necessary measures as to respect of rights and liberties of Russian nationals.