Transport workers union the ITF is putting its cash behind the appeal of the Seaman Guard Ohio crew against their jailing in India on weapons charges.
Ten seafarers and 25 security guards from the US-operated support ship were sentenced to five years in prison earlier this month after being held since 2013.
They were arrested when the 197-dwt vessel (built 1984) was sailing 15 miles off Tuticorin in October 2013, allegedly without valid documents for weapons and ammunition.
ITF seafarers’ section chair Dave Heindel said: “We have now completed a full legal analysis of the court’s judgment and we firmly believe there are grounds for appeal.
“We will match our determination with funds. We hope that the - flag of convenience - flag state, Sierra Leone, will also be moved to help these seafarers.
“This is a clear case of criminalisation of the vessel’s crew. They have been sentenced for supposedly being in charge of weapons that they would never have handled.
“How can you imprison a ship’s cook for five years for weapons possession when the only thing he’s handled is pots and pans? It’s an injustice.”
“We trust that this point will be accepted on appeal.”
The crew consists of eight Indians and two Ukrainians, while six Britons, 14 Estonians, four Indians and a Ukrainian were among the guards.
The vessel is operated by US security company AdvanFort.
