New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS): Indian merchant ship captain Sunil James, in jail in the west African country of Togo since July, has been released along with another Indian sailor, the external affairs ministry said Thursday.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted: "After meet between India's High Commissioner in Accra and President Gnassingbe of Togo, Captain Sunil James and Vijayan released. Now with High Commissioner K. Jeeva Sagar."

The two Indian sailors are to leave for India Thursday, he posted.

James' family has been seeking his release so that he could return home for the last rites of his 11-month-old son Vivaan who died Dec 2 of septicaemia in a Mumbai hospital.

James had stopped at Togo to report an attack on his ship MT Ocean Centurion by pirates when he was arrested July 31, along with two other crew members, for allegedly aiding the pirates.

The sailor's wife, Aditi and other family members had requested the Indian government to intervene and secure James' release.

“We are happy, it was a long battle, we have won the battle, congratulate the family,” tweeted Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam whom the family had approached for help.

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