Chinese sailor released by police; to return home tonight

Kochi, Oct 13 (UNI) Chinese sailor Zhang Zhao Li, whose concocted story of a Chinese container vessel sinking off Lakshadweep on Saturday gave anxious moments to the Coast Guard and local authorities here, was released by police for being sent back to Beijing today.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sam Christy Daniel said Li was released after an official of the Shipping Corporation of China brought the necessary travel documents from the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi.

''We had found nothing suspicious about Li and released him after the Police Commissioner gave the necessary clearance,'' Mr Daniel said.

Li, accompanied by Chinese officials and Kerala Police personnel, left for Nedumbassery International Airport at noon today. He is to leave for Chennai tonight en route to Beijing.

Li, 27, had jumped off the Chinese vessel 'Zhen Huai 10' after a fight with the captain of the ship. He was found floating some 120 nautical miles off Kochi in the early hours of Saturday by the crew of a fishing boat 'St. Magdalene.' The fishermen brought Li to the Fort Kochi police station, where he told the officials that his vessel, with 32 crew members on board, had sunk following a collision with another ship.

Even as Coast Guard officials went on an alert to ascertain the facts, the local police got in touch with the Chinese Embassy, which said that the captain of the ship 'Zhen Huai 10' had reported about the sailor jumping off the ship.

Li was kept at the Fort Kochi police station for the past few days. Police officials said he appeared to be ''depressed.'' UNI ARC ROY SY DS1545