By Rob Hastings
Four Britons being held in Eritrea have been accused of terrorism and espionage, six months after they were found with a store of guns and ammunition.
The maritime security workers, whose firm yesterday offered an unreserved apology in an attempt to secure their release, were found in possession of an array of arms when they were captured on 23 December.
Though Protection Vessels International (PVI) said its four employees were equipped with the weapons to protect ships off the east coast of Africa from pirates, a report from the Eritrean Foreign Ministry obtained yesterday by Reuters claims there were other motives. Indicating the men held 18 sniper rifles and 1,700 bullets, it said: "There is high possibility that such military hardware is intended for perpetrating acts of terrorism and sabotage.
"The members are accountable for infiltrating into the sovereign Eritrean island of Romia and stashing weaponry, besides orchestrating futile acts of espionage and terrorism."
PVI has denied this, acknowledging the men "mishandled the situation" but saying they only stopped in Eritrea because they had encountered "rough weather".
Relations between the UK and Eritrea, already bad, are likely to get worse as the report also blamed officials in London: "The British Government is equally to be held accountable for issuing a permit that was used as a cover for the criminals."
The men made an unscheduled stop at Massawa port ( World66.com)
The government of Eritrea has accused four British men who were detained last December of espionage and terrorism. The men were working for Protection Vessels International (PVI), a maritime security company, when they disappeared on December 24, 2010. According to the company, the group was forced to make an unscheduled stop at the port of  due to rough weather, refuelling and equipment repairs.

A statement made on television by the Eritrean authorities said that the men had a variety of weapons, including 18 sniper rifles and "1,700 bullets." The statement also claimed that "there is high possibility that such military hardware is intended for perpetrating acts of terrorism and sabotage." PVI hit back at the claims, saying that the weapons were "standard issue for antipiracy operations."

Paul Gibbins, a spokesman for PVI, spoke to the British newspaper '''', saying "this is a gross misunderstanding and we regret the situation that we find ourselves in. We will continue to work very hard for the men’s release and we welcome any dialogue with the Eritrean authorities."

Two of the four men being held are former . Three of the men have been named as Adrian Troy, Christopher Collison, and Alun Sims.