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| Chennai Six: Britons jailed in India win appeal | Chennai Six: Britons jailed in India win appeal |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Six British former soldiers who have been held on weapons charges in India since 2013 are to be released. | |
| They were arrested while working as guards on a ship to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean. | They were arrested while working as guards on a ship to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean. |
| The so-called Chennai Six always denied the charges, which were initially quashed but later reinstated. They were sentenced to five years in 2016. | The so-called Chennai Six always denied the charges, which were initially quashed but later reinstated. They were sentenced to five years in 2016. |
| The former soldiers appealed, and a judge has just ruled that they be acquitted. | The former soldiers appealed, and a judge has just ruled that they be acquitted. |
| Get more updates on this story on BBC Local Live. | Get more updates on this story on BBC Local Live. |
| The men, who were working on the anti-piracy ship MV Seaman Guard Ohio, are: | The men, who were working on the anti-piracy ship MV Seaman Guard Ohio, are: |
| They were arrested on board a ship owned by an American company which offered armed protection services to vessels sailing through an area known as "pirates' alley" between the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. | They were arrested on board a ship owned by an American company which offered armed protection services to vessels sailing through an area known as "pirates' alley" between the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. |
| Customs officials and police found 35 guns, including semi-automatic weapons, and almost 6,000 rounds of ammunition on board the ship. | Customs officials and police found 35 guns, including semi-automatic weapons, and almost 6,000 rounds of ammunition on board the ship. |
| Indian authorities said the weapons and ammunition had not been properly declared | Indian authorities said the weapons and ammunition had not been properly declared |
| Initially charges were quashed when the men argued that the weapons were lawfully held for anti-piracy purposes and the paperwork, issued by the UK government, was in order. | Initially charges were quashed when the men argued that the weapons were lawfully held for anti-piracy purposes and the paperwork, issued by the UK government, was in order. |
| But a lower court reinstated the prosecution and they were convicted in January last year. | But a lower court reinstated the prosecution and they were convicted in January last year. |
| Since then there has been a series of appeals. | Since then there has been a series of appeals. |
| The latest news has been welcomed by the men's families. | The latest news has been welcomed by the men's families. |
| Yvonne MacHugh, the partner of Billy Irving, said he had missed the birth of their son, William. | Yvonne MacHugh, the partner of Billy Irving, said he had missed the birth of their son, William. |
| She said: "I just feel sheer relief - finally we're getting our family back together. | She said: "I just feel sheer relief - finally we're getting our family back together. |
| "Finally all the men are going to be home with their families. They've been acquitted of all charges, so they have done no wrongdoing and finally we've proven that." | "Finally all the men are going to be home with their families. They've been acquitted of all charges, so they have done no wrongdoing and finally we've proven that." |
| Lisa Dunn, the sister of Nick Dunn, described it as "the best news ever". | Lisa Dunn, the sister of Nick Dunn, described it as "the best news ever". |
| She said: "The longer it went on, as much as you still have an element of hope, it does dwindle after having so many delays and setbacks. | She said: "The longer it went on, as much as you still have an element of hope, it does dwindle after having so many delays and setbacks. |
| "It will make all of our Christmases - all of our dreams have come true today." | "It will make all of our Christmases - all of our dreams have come true today." |
| The judge ruled that all charges against the men - and 29 others arrested with them - be dropped with immediate effect, and the fines they were ordered to pay be refunded. | The judge ruled that all charges against the men - and 29 others arrested with them - be dropped with immediate effect, and the fines they were ordered to pay be refunded. |
| However, it is not yet known when they will be able to return home, as the authorities could appeal against the decision. | However, it is not yet known when they will be able to return home, as the authorities could appeal against the decision. |
| John Armstrong's sister, Joanne Tomlinson, said: "They still need to get police clearance before they can come home, so there are steps being taken to try to ensure that everything's in place. | John Armstrong's sister, Joanne Tomlinson, said: "They still need to get police clearance before they can come home, so there are steps being taken to try to ensure that everything's in place. |
| "That they can come back as quickly as possible, but we don't have a time-frame for that yet." | "That they can come back as quickly as possible, but we don't have a time-frame for that yet." |
| Theresa May's official spokesman said: "We are now working with the Indian authorities to discuss the next steps. | Theresa May's official spokesman said: "We are now working with the Indian authorities to discuss the next steps. |
| "We will continue to offer the men and their families consular assistance for as long as it is needed." | "We will continue to offer the men and their families consular assistance for as long as it is needed." |
| Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson described the verdict as "fantastic news" and said the case "has been a top priority for everybody" at the Foreign Office (FCO). | Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson described the verdict as "fantastic news" and said the case "has been a top priority for everybody" at the Foreign Office (FCO). |
| "The FCO has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to reunite these men with their families," he added. | "The FCO has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to reunite these men with their families," he added. |
| "I share their delight and I hope they can return home as soon as possible." | "I share their delight and I hope they can return home as soon as possible." |