The crew of the anti-piracy vessel MV Seaman Guard Ohio who have been detained in India for over 550 days are to receive a final judgement on their case in May, The Mission to Seafarers reports.
Revd Canon Ken Peters, Director of Justice and Public Affairs, The Mission to Seafarers, said that the Supreme Court in India had reviewed the case and had agreed that no more depositions could be made by any parties.
”The families are deeply disappointed that the final outcome has not been made known today but are now reassured that a judgement will be forthcoming before the courts in India adjourn for their annual Summer Recess on 15 May,” Revd Canon Peters said.
”We continue to hope and pray that this traumatic matter which is now in the 559th day for the crew being held now has the real prospect of a resolution in the next few weeks.”
Revd Paul Burt, Director of South Asia and The Gulf, The Mission to Seafarers visited the men in Chennai India a few weeks ago. He said: ”Being trapped in a Kafkaesque nightmare has taken its toll on the British crew members of the anti-piracy vessel Seaman Guard Ohio. The nightmare takes the form of having had all charges levelled at them by the Indian security forces quashed by the High Court in July 2014, but not being allowed to leave India and return home to their families.”