Nigerian
authorities on
Tuesday dropped charges against eight Russian sailors suspected of
trafficking arms, their lawyer said, but another seven will face
trial.
The
15 Russian sailors were charged with illegally bringing weapons into
the country last year, after Nigerian authorities intercepted a ship
on October 23, saying they had found several guns and thousands of
rounds of ammunition.
The
court case has raised tensions between Nigeria and Russia, whose
Foreign Ministry has spoken out against the charges. Russian media
have reported assurances from Nigeria that the sailors would be
allowed to return home. Nigeria has not commented on this alleged
promise.
Their
defense lawyer, Abubakar Onegbu, told reporters outside the court
that the charges had been dropped because they were not on the ship
when it was detained, but had arrived by air to carry out a crew
change. The prosecuting counsel was not available for comment.
Justice
James Soho adjourned the trial of the others until Friday. They are
free on bail.
“In
general we regard this development a positive step,” Russian
Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday evening. “We expect
a similar decision to be taken (in regard to seven remaining sailors)
at the upcoming court sitting.”
Arms
smuggling to and through Nigeria is rife. Demand for weapons is high
because of an Islamist rebellion in the north, armed robbery and
kidnapping by gangs in the south and oil theft and piracy in the
southeast.
The
country is also sometimes used as a conduit for shipping arms to
other conflict-ridden parts of West Africa.
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