The Russian embassy in Madrid is closely studying the situation involving the Russian sailors detained near the Canary Islands

Monday, June 27, 2022

Sign-In | Sign-Up | Contact Us | Bookmark

The Russian embassy in Madrid is closely studying the situation involving the Russian sailors detained near the Canary Islands, a source at the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. The Foreign Ministry denied media allegations “the detainees are without help and means of subsistence.” On October 14, The Aivi-1 merchant ship flying the Panamanian flag was detained near the Canary Islands. According to the Spanish authorities, three tonnes of cocaine was found on board. There are five Russian citizens in the group of 10 detainees, the source said. “At present, they are kept at a detention center in Las Palmas, the Canary Islands. They are accused of smuggling cocaine, but no formal charges have been brought against them yet,” the source said. “The Russian embassy in Madrid keeps a constant dialogue with the judge responsible for the case and with the judge's secretary,” the source said. “Sailors have not asked the embassy for any additional assistance.” A court has remanded the sailors in custody till the end of the investigation. “The relatives are allowed to visit the sailors,” the source said. “Four of the detainees have goverment-paid lawyers. The captain of the ship has refused to accept the services of the offered lawyer and hired a private one,” the source said. “All up-to-date information is available to the relatives of the detainees.”

Bookmark The Russian embassy in Madrid is closely studying the situation involving the Russian sailors detained near the Canary Islands