Indian sailor Captain Sunil James released from Togo jail: Foreign Ministry

sunil james with is wife 

Captain Sunil James, who was languishing in a jail in Togo in western Africa for five months, has been released, the ministry for external affairs said today. He will leave for India later today, the ministry said.

"Sailors from #India Capt Sunil James & Vijayan released from detention in #Togo. Will leave for home later today," Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson, ministry of external affairs, tweeted today.

"After meet between #India's High Commissoner in Accra & Prez Gnassingbe of #Togo Capt Sunil James & Vijayan released. Now with HC Sagar (sic)," he added.

Mr James' family had been fighting for his release since July, when he was arrested on charges of aiding the pirates who had attacked and looted his ship, MT Ocean Centurion, near Togo. They met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last week, asking his officials to coordinate efforts to free the Mumbai sailor.

His 11-month-old son, Vivaan, died earlier this month of septicemia. The baby's body has been kept in a morgue, with the family hoping his father can see him one last time.

The sailor's family has alleged that Mr James was tortured by the pirates and has lost 15 kgs in the custody of the Togo police, but the government took too long to step in. "Does it take the death of a baby for the government to act?" his brother-in-law Rakesh Madappa questioned earlier this month.
support from: NDTV