Tanzanian-flagged ship carrying explosive material seized in Greece en route to Libya

BY Libyan Express Jan 11, 2018 - 12:54

Footage taken aboard the USS Nitze shows of Islamic Revolutionary Guard vessels. via REUTERS TV

Greece seized a Tanzanian-flagged ship heading for Libya and carrying materials used to make explosives, the Greek coastguard said on Wednesday.

Reuters reported that Greek authorities found 29 containers carrying materials including ammonium nitrate, non-electric detonators and 11 empty liquefied petroleum gas tanks.

European Union and United Nations-imposed arms embargoes have prohibited the sale, supply or transfer of arms to Libya since 2011.

According to the ship’s bill of lading, the cargo had been loaded in the Turkish ports of Mersin and Iskenderum and was destined for Djibouti and Oman.

“But the coastguard said a preliminary investigation found the captain had been ordered by the vessel’s owner to sail to the Libyan city of Misrata to unload and deliver the entire cargo.” Reuters reported, adding that no shipping maps were found on the ship’s logbook for the Djibouti and Oman areas, the coastguard said.

The eight-member crew has been arrested and will appear before a prosecutor on Thursday, according to Reuters.

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