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South African court acquits Vietnamese crew

26 June 2009

A South African court acquitted 10 Vietnamese fishermen charged with mutiny and kidnap on 19 June. The seafarers had been arrested in May following appalling conditions on the Taiwanese vessel Balena.

The seafarers, who have now returned home, said they had endured torture, humiliation and appalling living conditions. They took the captain and first officer hostage off Cape Town after suffering excessive working hours and regular beatings.
 
Cassiem Augustus of the ITF in Cape Town said the seafarers had "acted out of desperation" after months of beatings and ill-treatment. Several had also not been paid.


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