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Leon Dias tanker crew released and are in safety — Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW, February 25. /TASS/. All crew members from Greece’s Leon Dias chemical and oil products tanker, seized in late January in the Gulf of Guinea, have been released and are in safety, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.

"According to the embassy’s information, all members of the Leon Dias tanker crew, including Russian national Baklanov, have been released and are in safety under control of the ship owner company," Zakharova said.

"Preparation for their transportation from Nigeria is being conducted," she said. "Our embassy is following and actively participating in clarification of the fate of all Russians who either found themselves hostages in that country or there is [different] information on that account."

The Leon Dias tanker was seized by unknown armed people in late January. The Russian Foreign Ministry has recommended Russian sailors, when being hired for work, to take into account risks in the area of the Gulf of Guinea.