COLON, Panama (AP) A Panamanian prosecutor who reported the release of all but three of 35 crewmen of a North Korean ship seized for carrying Cuban weapons reversed his story Wednesday afternoon, saying all were still being held.
Organized crime prosecutor Nahaniel Murgas first said only the ship's captain, first mate and a Korean official who watched the crew would continue to be detained and face charges of arms trafficking. He appeared later in the afternoon at the base where the crew members were being held and changed his version, saying only the ship was legally free to go. He left without further comment.
Other officials involved in the case couldn't be reached for comment nor could the lawyer for the crew members.
Although the ship is legally free to sail, officials with the independent Panama Canal Zone say the ship cannot move until the North Koreans pay a $1 million fine, which was levied for threatening the canal's security by not declaring the weapons. Panama says the weapons violated U.N. sanctions restricting arms trading with North Korea.
So far the fine has not been resolved, canal legal adviser Alvaro Cabal said. His brother, Tomas Cabal, an official with the Foreign Ministry, told the Associated Press that one option would be selling the ship's legal cargo of 10,000 tons of sugar, which is worth about $3 million. The North Koreans have said they want the sugar back.