21 Apr 2011

An Australian man is due back in a Vanuatu court next week over maritime issues

12:08 pm on 21 April 2011

An Australian and his wife, a Solomon Islander, have been released by Vanuatu police, after being arrested last Friday.

Carl Beldon had been arrested in a spat over two ships he owned operating in Vanuatu waters without licences.

The ships' captains and chief engineers are also facing charges for alleged breaches of Vanuatu's maritime, immigration and foreign investment laws.

The court has also ordered Mr Beldon and wife to surrender their passports and not to leave Efate.

They are to re-appear in court on Friday next week.

Last Thursday Mr Beldon's two vessels were detained in Santo and Malekula and escorted back to Port Vila.