11 June,2009 11:41 AM IST | | Urvashi Seth
A Korean court ordered the release of two Indian sailors today, who were held in the Southeast Asian country for over 540 days for an oil spillageu00a0they claim was not their fault.
Captain Chawla, one of the captives, called and informed about the release, siad, Abdul Gani Serang, general secretary of National Union Seafarers Association Of India.
"Chawla and his collegue Shyam Chetan were cleared of all charges and will return to India within two days," added Serang.
"Their families are very happy with the news and are eagerly waiting for their return," said Serang.
Jaspreet Chawla, captain of a Hong Kong-registered oil tanker the Hebei Spirit, and his Chief Officer Shyam Chetan were detaind in South Korea since Dec 2007, when a crane barge rammed into their stationary ship in stormy weather, causing a spillage of 10,000 tonnes of oil on the country's west coast.
The two men were cleared of all charges by the first court hearing the case, but were then held guilty by the high court after an appeal by the prosecutor.
The two Indian sailors were widely seen as innocent and victims by a large number of countries as well as the international seafaring and shipping community. Demonstrations were held in Chennai and Mumbai in support of the two men.
