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Two more sailors from detained Russian ship appear in South Korean court — consul

The sailors pleaded not guilty to charges of resisting arrest and evasion from punishment

SEOUL, October 31. /TASS/. Two more Russian sailors from the detained Palladium vessel were questioned during another court session in South Korea’s port city of Busan on Wednesday, Russian consul Roman Bykov told TASS.

"The court session lasted only seven minutes. During it, the judge questioned two more suspects, who were not present at the first session because they did not receive subpoenas," the Russian diplomat said, adding that the sailors pleaded not guilty to charges of resisting arrest and evasion from punishment (trying to leave the port without paying a fine).

The next court session is scheduled for November 28.

Bykov also said that another member of the Palladium crew left South Korea with the assistance of the Russian consulate.

"Right now, six people remain on board the vessel, this is the obligatory minimum. There have been no problems with supplies, no complains from the crew have been received," the diplomat added.

The ship was detained on August 28 in South Korea over wage arrears. In early September, it tried to leave South Korea, but failed to properly register its departure from the port. As a result, it was detained in an operation that involved a coast guard ship and a helicopter with a team of marines.

After the incident, the ship’s owner, captain, senior engineer and one of sailors were detained and placed in pretrial custody. Two more suspects are now on board the ship.