The Russian Foreign Ministry said the sailors were facing a court case initiated “under false pretexts” and that Nigeria broke a promise given to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that the men would return to Russia before the New Year.
“We expect that this time around the Nigerian partners will stick to their word and release the Russian sailors in the nearest time without additional conditions and further delays,” Reuters quoted the ministry as saying in a statement on Wednesday.
The sailors, who were kept in navy custody since their arrest in October, were handed over to the police on Monday.
“On Monday, we handed over the crew to the police as we have completed preliminary investigations,” Lieutenant Commander Jerry Omodara, spokesman for the Western Naval Command, said by telephone. “The ship and the weapons are still in our custody.”
The Moran Security Group, the Russian company that owns the confiscated vessel, called the accusations “groundless” and urged Nigeria to release the sailors.
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