Sailors Jailed in Nigeria for Smuggling Are Freed

Twelve Russian sailors who spent two years in a Nigerian prison on oil-smuggling charges returned home yesterday.

The sailors, who worked on a Greek-owned ship and denied knowledge of its illegal cargo, were met by dignitaries at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport and taken to lunch with the Orthodox patriarch, Alexei II.

The crew of the African Pride said they had suffered grim conditions in a maximum security jail but latterly had lived on Russian diplomatic premises.

Valery Pakhomov, captain of the ship, said the sailors intended to sue its owner for salary covering their time in custody.