Fourteen sailors return to Ukraine after three years in Libyan prison

A special flight with 14 citizens of Ukraine, members of the Ruta tanker crew who returned home after more than three years of imprisonment in Libya, landed at the Boryspil International Airport.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commended the arrival of fellow citizens in the homeland, the press service of the Head of State informs.

"Our task is to return Ukrainian citizens. I am very glad that after almost three and a half years behind bars in Libya, 14 members of the crew of the Ruta tanker returned home. I am happy for them, for their families," Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The President thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, and all those who helped for their successful work.

In April 2017, Ukrainian sailors were detained in Libya on charges of involvement in the smuggling of petroleum products. Due to the complicated domestic political and security situation in this country, the consideration of the case of Ukrainians by the Libyan courts has not been completed for a long time.

Due to the coordinated actions of the relevant authorities, Ukraine managed to achieve results in negotiations with the Libyan party and return our citizens home.

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