Greece Frees Ukrainian Ship

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine confirms that Greek authorities have freed the Balkan Star, its cargo, and the Ukrainian crew apprehended on February 23 because they transported missiles across Greek territorial waters without proper shipping documents, the ministry’s spokesman Markiyan Lubkivsky announced. “The documents and cargo were legal. Yet, the captain failed to inform the authorities about the cargo,” Mr. Lubkivsky explained, adding that the crew had their accusations lifted, while the captain was sentenced to a one-year prison term and a 3,000-euro fine but was then released and can now return to Ukraine. Mr. Lubkivsky said the captain had lodged an appeal to be handled soon by a higher Greek court. The ship, under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, transported the cargo to Ukraine under contract with Algeria’s ministry of defense, Interfax reports. All ten crew members, including the captain, are Ukrainians.