Azerbaijani foreign ministry comments on seamen's arrest on Indian coast

"There are no problems about the health of five Azerbaijani citizens on board of the vessel and they were provided with food. The Azerbaijani seamen have seaman's passport with which they can at any time leave the vessel and return home,"  Foreign Ministry spokesperson Elkhan Polukhov said.

Vessel of Turkish ECE A Tanker Grup Company has been arrested on the Indian coast. Crew consists of five Azerbaijani, 10 Turkish and 1 Georgian citizen.

Azerbaijani embassies to Turkey and India were tasked to clear up situation concerning arrest of Turkish vessel. Five Azerbaijani citizens are on the board.  

"Azerbaijani seamen have problem with wages. The company for which they work has not paid them money for three months," said Polukhov.

"They said they were promised to be paid and the company will ensure their return to their homeland," Polukhov said.

"Azerbaijani embassy in Ankara appealed to the Foreign Ministry of Turkey in connection with this issue," he said.

"The Ministry said that the matter will be investigated and all necessary measures will be taken," Polukhov said.

/Trend News/