Chennai Six: Cumbrian ex-soldier released from Indian prison

Yellow ribbons placed in John Armstrong's hometown to celebrate his release Credit: ITV Border

The so-called Chennai Six, including John Armstrong from Wigton, have been released from prison in India this morning.

Families of the British men have been campaigning for their release since they were arrested in India in October 2013.

The six men, who were jailed on weapons charges while working as security guards on ships to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean, won an appeal against their conviction on Monday.

They have now been let out of Chennai Central Prison, which is considering the next steps with Indian authorities.

Representatives of the men say they will have to stay in India before they go home.

The other British men jailed alongside John Armstrong are; Nick Dunn, 31, of Northumberland, Nicholas Simpson, 47, of Catterick, Paul Towers, 54, of Pocklington near York, Ray Tindall, 42, of Chester, and Billy Irving, 37, of Argyll.

Businesses at John's hometown in Wigton have been celebrating his release by placing yellow ribbons on doors.

His family are waiting to hear when he'll be arriving home, with the hope that he will be back before Christmas.

A post on "The Chennai 6" Facebook page earlier said "I can't imagine how they must feel finally being freed from Puzhal after so long."

Credit: The Chennai 6 Facebook page

TIMELINE OF THE CHENNAI SIX

  • October 2013: Crew of 35, including six British army veterans, on board the American-owned anti-piracy vessel the MV Seaman Guard Ohio were stopped by the Indian coastguard and accused of entering Indian waters without permission. When boarding the vessel,officials found 35 firearms that were lawfully held for anti-piracy purposes. Despite providing permits for the weapons, issued by the UK government, the Chennai Six were arrested with weapons offences, straying into Indian waters and procurement of illegal fuel and imprisoned without charge.

  • April 2014: The Chennai Six were granted bail.

  • July 2014: Case dismissed in India's High Court but authorities appealed and the men were unable to return to the UK as authorities kept their travel documents.

  • January 2016: After a trial at a Magistrate's Court, the men were found guilty of possessing an illegal firearm and sentenced to five years imprisonment. They then began a lengthy appeal.

  • October 2017: The appeal judge stepped down and a new one was appointed.

  • November 20, 2017: The appeal ended and captain of the vessel, Dudnyk Valentyn of Ukraine, was repatriated.

  • November 27, 2017: All crew members were found not guilty.

  • November 28, 2017: All crew members released from jail.