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From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Sun Jun 12 2011 - 15:06:43 EDT
UK says Eritrea releases 4 detained Britons
Sun Jun 12, 2011 4:12pm GMT
LONDON, June 12 (Reuters) - Eritrea has freed four British security
contractors who it had accused of spying and terrorism and kept in detention
since December, Britain's foreign ministry said on Sunday.
The men worked for a British maritime security firm, which said they were
detained when they made an unscheduled stop in Eritrea due to rough weather
while en route to provide security for ships in an area where piracy is
rife.
"We are pleased that the four British nationals have now been able to leave
Eritrea and can be reunited with family and friends. We are very grateful to
the Government of the State of Qatar for helping facilitate their return,"
Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said in a statement.
Britain has frosty relations with Eritrea, which it says supports Islamist
insurgents in Somalia, but warmer ties with Qatar, the main Arab state
providing military support to enforce the U.N. resolution protecting
civilians in Libya.
Eritrea did not grant Britain consular access to the men, who it said were
carrying sniper rifles and bullet-proof vests, prompting Britain to ban
Eritrean diplomats from travelling outside London without permission.
The men's employer, Protection Vessels International, said it believed they
were in good health and had been well treated while in detention.
"PVI regrets the series of unfortunate events leading to the men's
detainment, but it would like to express thanks to the Eritrean President
and his government for their release. PVI is also very grateful for the
support and advice by the FCO," the firm said in a statement.
PVI employs former British marines to provide armed on-board security and
escort vessels for shipping operating in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian
Ocean. (Reporting by David Milliken; additional reporting by James Macharia
in Nairobi; editing by Mark Heinrich)
C Thomson Reuters 2011 All rights reserved
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