Georgia, Tbilisi, Jan.25 / Trend , N.Kirtskhalia /
The charges against the Georgian seamen accused of arms smuggling in the Philippines were dismissed, Nino Kalandadze, deputy foreign minister of Georgia, said today at a press briefing.
Thirteen Georgian seamen accused of arm smuggling have waited for a verdict for six months. The seamen said that they knew nothing about arms and that it is the prerogative of the captain of the vessel, American Lawrence Bence, and his assistant Bruce Johns.
The captain of the vessel has assumed responsibility for the arm smuggling, and the Georgian seamen were released.
"Government of Adzharia will solve the issue, and all barriers for the return of the seamen will be removed in near future," Kalandadze said.