Georgia released 16 members of BUKET crew

Poti city court released 16 out of 17 members of BUKET vessel crew after paying the fine of GEL 3 000 [USD 1 800] per each, RIA Novosti reports alluding to press service of border police of MIA.

BUKET vessel, flying flag of Panama and carrying 700 tons of diesel fuel and 2000 tons of fuel to Abkhazia, was detained by the Georgian side. Georgia regards Abkhazian basin as own territory, and considers delivery of cargo without Tbilisi's permission as a crime

Four out of 17 are citizens of Azerbaijan, al the rest are citizens of Turkey. The Azerbaijanians were released on September 4th . The fate of the captain, sentenced to 24 years of imprisonment, will be decided at the meeting of Foreign Minister of Turkey and President of Georgia.

Russian Foreign Ministry claimed that Moscow demands from Tbilisi to stop seizures of vessels in neutral waters and intended to turn to Georgia via Switzerland for explanations.

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