MV Seaman Guard Ohio at the Tuticorin port
Twenty-two foreign crew members and security guards of the detained US based ship, Seaman Guard Ohio, are being shifted to Chennai's Puzhal Jail from the Palayamkottai Central Jail in Tirunelvelli. The 13 Indian crew members will remain in the Tirunelvelli
Jail.
"Usually overseas prisoners are housed in Chennai and hence we are moving them," authorities told NDTV.
35 crew members of Seaman Guard Ohio were arrested after the ship was detained at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu earlier this month for illegally entering Indian waters and carrying guns and ammunition without permission. 31 assault rifles and around 5,000 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the ship. It is being investigated if the ship was involved in arms trafficking.
A few days ago, the chief engineer of the ship had threatened to commit suicide, after which all 35 members were shifted to a single hall in the Tirunelvelli Jail. They had also arranged counselling for them.
The ship belongs to a US based company, Advan Fort which provides maritime security for ships against pirates. The owners have, however, denied allegations of entering Indian waters, claiming the ship was in international waters.
The bail plea of all 35 crew members is expected to come up for hearing at a local court in a few days.