“Indian seafarers unlawfully detained in Kuwait”, 17^th May 2017

…The Janan [ship] arrived at a Kuwaiti port on the 13th of May 2013 where…[five] men including...[Iranian] Captain, Massood Khalif were arrested for the alleged illegal importation of contraband diesel. The five men were detained in Police custody and three of the [four] Indian nationals continue to remain in detention since the 13th of May 2013...[T]he Iranian Captain…remained at liberty until May 2015 when he managed to leave Kuwait without having to answer the charges laid against him… Despite being subject to legal proceedings, the Indian nationals have not been informed of the charges against them or served with copies of the charge sheets and/or with copies of the pleadings. The Iranian Captain attended all Court hearings and was provided with legal representation by the Iranian ship owners whilst the Indian nationals were unrepresented and denied the opportunity to appear before the Court to learn of the case against them and present their defence.