Illegal Firearms: Russia Seeks Bail For 15 Ship Crew

The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Alexander D. Polyakov, on Wednesday applied for the release on bail of 15 Russian sailors detained over an alleged illegal importation of firearms and ammunition into the country.

Polyakov made the application before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, and urged the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Adedayo, to release the men to the embassy.

The ambassador, who was represented by a consul, Mr Radomir Ganich, promised to produce the men, all crew members of MV Myre Seadiver, a merchant vessel flying the Cook Island Flag, during their trial.

The men are: Zhelyazkov Andrev, 53, Captain; Savchnko Sergey, 36; Chichkanov Vasily, 49; Varlygin Igor, 48; Komilov Alexandr, 32; Lopatin Alexey, 38; Baranovskly Nikolay, 50; Mishin Pavel, 31; and Llia Shubov 33.

Others are Dmitry Bannyrh, 40; Alexander Tsarkov, 44; Kononov Sergel, 44; Korotchenko Andrey, 23; Vorobev Mikhail, 40, and Stepan Oleksiuk, 52.

Our correspondent reports that the men were arrested by the Nigerian Navy on October 18, 2012, over an alleged illegal entry into Nigeria’s territorial waters.

Among items allegedly recovered from the ship were arms and ammunition, including 14 assorted AK 47 rifles, 3,643 ammunition and 20 Benelli MRI 20mm barrel rifles with 4,995 ammunition.

Their counsel, Edidiong E. Idiong and Segun Sipeolu submitted that their detention violated Sections 35(1)(3)(4)(a)(5) (a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The counsel to the Russians held that their continued detention was contrary to Section 364 of the Administration of Justice Law of Lagos State.

They further argued that the crew’s remand was also contrary to Articles 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 (1) of the United Nations Universal Declarations on Human Rights.

According to the defence, the continued remand of the Russians equally violates Section 2 of the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act, Cap D9 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

The counsel said the detention of the Russians was “arbitrary, oppressive and not dignifying”.

The defence noted that the crew had been in detention for about three months without any charges made against them, describing this as a violation of their fundamental human rights.

They gave an assurance that the Russian Counsel, Ganich, and Mr Fidelis Aguele, a Nigerian Dentist, who works at the embassy, were ready to stand as sureties for the 15 accused.

The court, after hearing the application, directed that copies of the processes should be served on the prosecution.

The magistrate thereafter adjourned the case till January 28.

The Russians were remanded on January 11, following a formal application by the Lagos State commissioner of police.

The application argued that the Russian’s action violated the nation’s sovereignty and contravened the essence of innocent passage and relevant international laws.

It urged that they be remanded pending their arraignment before an appropriate court.