VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Ruby ship's five Indonesian crew were released from prison in Minab, Hormozgan, Iran, on Jan 6, and repatriated to Indonesia on Jan 18, Indonesian Embassy in Tehran’s written statement, released and received here, Monday, stated.

Earlier, the five crew members -- Agung Setiyawan, Amir, Adi Wiranata, Jessy Putra Agung Lahopang, and Juni Rinald -- were detained by Iranian authorities in March 2020 on charges of involvement in oil smuggling by the Ruby ship.

"After a nine-month-long legal process on December 14, 2020, the judge of the Jask Court in Hormozgan Province finally acquitted them of the oil smuggling charges," the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran noted in the statement.

"We continue to monitor developments in the case and offer legal assistance in the handling of the case of the five Indonesian crew members until their release," the Indonesian Embassy noted in the statement.

A week after leaving detention, on January 12, the five Indonesian crew members arrived in the capital city of Tehran and were offered accommodation in line with the implementation of health protocols to prevent the coronavirus disease infection, including two swab tests.

"They are in good health and condition before finally returning home to Indonesia on January 18, 2021," the Indonesian Embassy noted in its statement. (antaranews)