Greek court freed Russian sailors from smuggling charges

11.01.2010 Source: RIA Novosti, photo: Aidipsos, Evia Island, Greece (eviavillas.co.uk)

Greek court Friday freed two Russian sailors of Mitridat vessel from charges of large-scale cigarette smuggling, informs RIA Novosti referring to Viktor Kolupayev, director of consular section of Russian Embassy to Greece.

On Tuesday Greek authorities arrested Togo-flagged cargo ship Mitridat and its Russian 11-man crew; two of them were under arrest until recently. 80 million cigarettes were found on board which Greek authorities declared as contraband.

"The trial has been finished; lawyers managed to prove full nonculpability of Russian sailors", said Mr. Kolupayev.

According to him, shipmaster and chief mechanic were released. At the same time, the vessel and its cargo were confiscated by the Greek court.