MANILA - The Libyan High Court has acquitted 7 Filipino seafarers earlier sentenced to 4 years in prison on fuel smuggling charges, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

The agency welcomed the acquittal and is now coordinating with Libyan authorities for the repatriation of the seafarers.

The Philippine Embassy in Tripoli received a copy of the order of the High Court on Sunday, ordering the release of the seafarers.

The Libyan Coast Guard seized an oil tanker and detained a 20-member Filipino crew on suspicion of fuel smuggling in August 2017.

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Chargé d'Affaires Mardomel Celo Melicor said the Libyan authorities released the 13 crew members in February last year.

Seven others, who are all officers of the Liberian-flagged tanker M/T Levante, were charged and sentenced by a lower court to 4 years in prison.

The tanker was loaded with 6 million liters of contraband fuel and the seafarers were accused of economic sabotage.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Presidential Adviser Abdullah Mama-o will fly to Libya to assist the return of the seafarers back to the Philippines.

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