The appeal court in India has found Connel man and ex-paratrooper Billy Irving not guilty.
Billy and five other British ex-servicemen were sentenced to five years in an Indian prison in January 2016.
The men, known as the Chennai Six, were working as armed guards protecting ships from Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean.
The Chennai 6 Facebook page posted: ‘The appeal court has today found all 35 men not guilty.
‘We now wait to hear as and when the men will be allowed home to their families.
‘This may take some time whilst the authorities decide whether they agree with the outcome or wish to appeal.
‘If they wish to appeal the men might be released from prison but not allowed back to the UK. But the families are understandably delighted that finally common sense and justice has prevailed.’
Commenting on the news, Brendan O’Hara, MP for Argyll and Bute said: ‘I am thrilled; a conclusion to this injustice has been long overdue.
‘This whole period has been immensely stressful for all the families of the Chennai 6, but today is a day of victory for those families who have done some incredible work to keep the momentum of this case going.
‘I particularly want to pay tribute to Yvonne MacHugh who has been an inspiration individual and has never relented. Earlier this month I went to Downing Street with Billy’s family to plead with the UK Government to do more to secure his release from jail. This visit followed shortly after my seventh meeting with my third Foreign Office Minister in just two years.
‘I have kept in regular contact with Yvonne, but I often wonder if today’s result would have come about had it not been for the pressure from Yvonne and the other families who were so badly affected by this.
‘I am delighted and I look forward to hearing that Billy is finally on a plane home to be with his family again.’
Speaking to The Oban Times ahead of the appeal decision, Billy’s fiancée, Yvonne MacHugh said: ‘Since the day the five-year sentence was handed to Billy, our lives have been at a standstill.
‘Nearly two years we’ve waited for this day and now it’s finally here I am utterly petrified.
‘Everything does feel positive this time round, but you just cannot tell what will happen.
‘Our lives and the lives of 34 men and their families lie in the hands of one man-the judge.
‘That is the most terrifying part of all of this. One man has the power to grant freedom to 35 innocent men.
‘All we want is for Billy to be home with us this Christmas. As much as I try not to imagine it, in fear of our hopes and dreams being ripped to shreds yet again. I simply cannot help it. It’s what I picture as I lie in bed at night and the first thought I have in the morning.’
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