大象传媒

The relatives of six British ex-servicemen, including two from East Yorkshire, are stepping up their campaign to free them from an Indian Prison. They'll lobby parliament today and hand in a petition, with over four hundred thousand signatures of support, to Downing Street. Paul Towers from Pocklington and Ray Tindall, originally from Hull, were among the six British men arrested in October 2013 on illegal weapons charges. The men all worked for a US maritime company providing anti-piracy protection when their ship was detained in India and weapons were found. The charges against them and twenty-nine other crew members were initially dropped but after a successful appeal by the Indian authorities it was decided that the men would face a trial. In January 2016, they were convicted and jailed for five years. The men have always denied any wrongdoing, saying the weapons were properly licenced. Their families have also maintained their innocence. The Lawyer acting on the men's behalf, Stephen Askins, has been speaking to 大象传媒 Political Reporter Sarah Sanderson about their case. In this interview he explains how the Judge, who was originally hearing the men's appeal, has now stood aside and he adds that the men will be re-appealing when a new Judge is appointed saying "Every ship has the right of innocent passage. You are entitled to transit through, anchor and do all those that you are likely to do such as stop to re-fuel in other people's waters as long as your intentions are innocent." The Foreign and Commonwealth Office says "Foreign Office consular staff are in regular contact with the men and their families and will continue to work hard on their behalf." Earlier this month, the six British men received a prison visit from Mark Field, the UK's minister for Asia. The issue has also been raised by both the prime minister and the foreign secretary with the Indian government in recent months.