Georgian sailor detained in Libya released

The Ministry of Foreign  Affairs of Georgia reported today  that one of three Georgian soldiers detained in Libya  in August of last year has been released and returned to his family in Georgia’s coastal Adjara region yesterday.

The ministry reported that the investigation could find no evidence against the individual regarding the illegal load the ship crew was originally detained for.

The soldier, Nukri Khokhba has been released. The case of the Georgian captain of the ship and his Georgian assistant has been handed to the prosecution chamber of Libya for further investigation,” the Ministry stated.

The Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze said that the release of the sailor came after all necessary measures had been taken by the government of Georgia.

We are doing our utmost to achieve the release of the remaining sailors. We are using all our resources for this. I personally spoke with my Lybian colleague over the issues,” Janelidze said.

The three Georgian sailors were among 11 crew members of a Turkish ship sailing under the Tanzanian flag who were detained in Libya on August 30, 2017.