Indian consular official meets jailed Indian captain in Togo

An Indian consular official Saturday met Indian merchant ship captain, Sunil James, who along with two other Indian sailors, is under arrest in the west African country of Togo since July and pursued the matter of their release with authorities there.

India is seeking the early release of the three, especially James whose little son died of septecemia on Dec 2 in Mumbai and his family is awaiting his release to perform the last rites.

James was jailed in Togo on the charge of aiding pirates who had attacked and looted his ship, MT Ocean Centurion, on July 16.

The Indian mission in Accra was overseeing the developments in the case.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted: "India's Consular Officer meets Capt Sunil James & 2 other sailors detained in Lome. Pursues request 4 release with senior officials of Togo."

The spokesperson said Friday that the mission and India's Honorary Consul in Lome have been in touch with Togo authorities in the matter.

Akbaruddin has said that India is "very seriously" pursuing the matter of the release of Sunil James.