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Latvians' release followed Russian pressure

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

The release of five Latvians, serving life terms in a Calcutta jail, in the Purulia arms drop case, followed diplomatic pressure on the Indian government and the forthcoming visit of Russian President Vladamir Putin, senior Union government officials admitted.

However, the mystery of the arms drop on December 17, 1995 is yet to be solved, as Kim Davy, the key figure, is still at large. He is believed to be in Denmark.

The issue of the release had figured in almost every high level interaction between both countries recently, and as a show of concern, the Russian ambassador had visited the five in Calcutta.

Said a senior home ministry source, "The decision was basically in anticipation of the visit of Putin, as a goodwill gesture. We have been toying with the idea for sometime."

He said the five are expected to leave India by next week "after completion of all formalities."

The issue was raised by the Russians during the recent visits of Union External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and Union Defence Minister George Fernandes.

Though Fernandes denied having discussed the issue in Russia, a home ministry official said that "even Fernandes was told of the Russian concern."

The Russian Embassy in New Delhi had handed over an official request that the five be released and sent back to Russia.

Alexandre Klichine, Oleg Gaidash, Igor Moskvitin, Igor Timmerman and Antimenko Eugueni were serving life terms along with British national Peter Bleach.

They were sentenced under Section 121 (A) of the Indian Penal Code, for abetting a party to wage war against India, in February this year. However, they were acquitted of charges of waging a war against India. They were also fined Rs 60,000 each under the Indian Explosives Act, Aircraft Act and Arms Act.

With Davy at large, key questions about the conspiracy remain unanswered. It is not known where the arms originated from, and who was the real mastermind behind the delivery of the arms.

Davy escaped from the police at Bombay airport in 1995, soon after his plane was forced to land there. There were several loopholes in explanations given by the local police authorities about Davy's escape.

Davy is reported to have expressed willingness to surrender before the Denmark authorities in a robbery case against him. However, his arrest by Denmark will not be of any help to India, as both countries do not have an extradition treaty.

The Central Bureau of Investigation maintains that unless Davy is brought to India, the mystery cannot be explained.

Besides Russian pressure, International Human Rights Commission members in India wanted the government to drop the case against the foreigners.

SEE ALSO:
Counsel hopeful of Purulia case prime accused's release

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