Philippines authorities have decided to release 13 Georgian seafarers detained for the past five months on suspicion of smuggling arms, it was reported in January. Georgian deputy foreign minister Nino Kalandadze told reporters that charges had been dropped against the crewmembers of general cargo ship Captain Ufuk.rnSpeaking on 15 January, Kalandadze expressed hope that legal procedures in the Philippines could be resolved so the crew could be sent back to Georgia. The information could not be confirmed with the ministry. The ship's South African captain, Laurence John, reportedly remains in custody on charges related to arms smuggling.
展开▼
