This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-42149123

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Chennai Six: Britons released from Indian jail Chennai Six: Britons released from Indian jail
(about 1 hour later)
Six British former soldiers have been released from an Indian prison four years after being arrested and detained on weapons charges.Six British former soldiers have been released from an Indian prison four years after being arrested and detained on weapons charges.
The so-called Chennai Six, who had been guards on a ship to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean, won an appeal against their convictions on Monday.The so-called Chennai Six, who had been guards on a ship to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean, won an appeal against their convictions on Monday.
They have now been escorted out of Chennai Central Prison by British consulate officials.They have now been escorted out of Chennai Central Prison by British consulate officials.
They said they were discussing the next step with the Indian authorities.They said they were discussing the next step with the Indian authorities.
Lawyers representing the men say they will have to spend some more time in India before they can expect to return home.Lawyers representing the men say they will have to spend some more time in India before they can expect to return home.
The men, who were working on the anti-piracy ship MV Seaman Guard Ohio, are: The men were working on the anti-piracy ship MV Seaman Guard Ohio, owned by the US-based company AdvanFort, when they were arrested in 2013.
They were arrested in 2013, after customs officials and police found weapons and ammunition on board, which Indian authorities said had not been properly declared. They are:
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. They were held along with three Ukrainians, 14 Estonians and 12 Indians when customs officials and police found weapons and ammunition on board, which Indian authorities said had not been properly declared.
But a lower court reinstated the prosecution and in January 2016 were sentenced to five years in prison. Initially the charges were quashed when the men argued the weapons were lawfully held for anti-piracy purposes and the paperwork, issued by the UK government, was in order.
The men's families welcomed the acquittal, and many expressed hope that the men would be home by Christmas. But a lower court reinstated the prosecution and in January 2016 they were sentenced to five years in prison.
The men's families welcomed the acquittal and many expressed hope that they would be home by Christmas.
A British consulate spokesman said: "The government shares their happiness.A British consulate spokesman said: "The government shares their happiness.
"We are working with the Indian authorities to discuss the next step and we will continue to offer the men and their families consular assistance for as long as needed.""We are working with the Indian authorities to discuss the next step and we will continue to offer the men and their families consular assistance for as long as needed."