Detained sailors were first held in the naval base and then moved to Kiri-Kiri high security prison. In March 2004, the crew faced official charges of criminal conspiracy for illegal carriage of crude through Nigerian waters. The prosecutors called for a life sentence to all Russians.
The case had been almost neglected by official Russia till summer 2005. when mothers and wives of the sailors stepped in. Having begun with a hunger strike, they proceeded to writing letters to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. As a result, Lavrov got involved himself and it was agreed to relieve 12 sailors under security of the RF embassy. Confined to the territory of Russian trade mission, the sailors won?t be able to leave Nigeria till the end of the trial.
All formalities were settled only by yesterday. However, the Russians were still in court on Monday night, as police were unable to find their passports for identification.
