OREANDA-NEWS. The Malaysian Maritime Police Department (MMEA) announced the detention of a bulk carrier with a Russian-Ukrainian crew 3.5 nautical miles from the east coast of Johor in the west of the country. According to Star newspaper on Friday, the ship did not have permission to enter the Malaysian port.

"All 23 crew members were detained after they were unable to present permission to enter from the port administration. The crew consists of citizens of Russia and Ukraine aged 21 to 68 years", said an MMEA spokesman. He also noted that two sailors were sent to the MMEA office for further proceedings. According to Star, this violation threatens with a fine of up to 100 thousand ringgit (about $ 24 thousand) and / or imprisonment for up to two years. The official comment of the Russian Embassy in Malaysia hasn't been received yet.

Earlier, on July 31, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, Sayfuddin Abdullah, called on the international community to abandon the unfounded accusations against Moscow in the case of the crash of the Boeing. He stressed that Russia and Malaysia have similar points of view on the case of a downed plane.