Officials say 9 Indian sailors held in Iranian prison over oil-smuggling charges freed

Indian sailor Sushil Kapoor, second left, with his other freed colleagues stand at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015 Officials say nine Indian sailors held in Iran for two years on charges of smuggling oil have been freed. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) (The Associated Press)

prev next

Indian sailor Sushil Kapoor hugs a relative on his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015 Officials say nine Indian sailors held in Iran for two years on charges of smuggling oil have been freed. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) (The Associated Press)

Indian sailor Sushil Kapoor hugs his mother on his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015 Officials say nine Indian sailors held in Iran for two years on charges of smuggling oil have been freed. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) (The Associated Press)

TEHRAN, Iran – Officials say nine Indian sailors held in Iran for two years on charges of smuggling oil have been freed.

The Indians were freed Tuesday and returned home Wednesday.

Sushma Swaraj, India's external affairs minister, wrote a message on Twitter thanking Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif for "prompt action on our request."

The Press Trust of India news agency reported that the men were being held over a $2.9 million fine imposed on them over the oil-smuggling charges.