Emirati fishermen held by Iran released

UMM AL QUWAIN // Four Emirati fishermen and five Asian crewmen detained by Iranian authorities almost three weeks ago returned home on Thursday afternoon.

The men were handed over to the Emirati coastguard at the sea border before being taken in for questioning about the incident, said Hussein Sultan Ali, brother of one of the Emirati fishermen.

“We are very happy to receive back our brother [Saud] and this adds on the celebrations the country is having for winning the Expo2020 and also the 42nd Union Day,” said Mr Ali.

Hussein Al Hajri, president of the Umm Al Quwain Fishermen Association, said the organisation was grateful for their safe return.

The four Emiratis, Saud Sultan Ali, Rashid Ahmed Ali Buharoun, Saeed Al Fallasi, all from UAQ, and Mohammed Eissa, from Dubai, were held with four Indian and one Bangladeshi crewmen while on a routine fishing expedition on November 8.

It was not the first time UAQ fishermen have been held for allegedly trespassing in Iranian waters.

In July, five Emirati captains and 21 Asian crewmen were released after being held in Iran for two months. The men were onboard three boats seized by the Iranian coastguard after sailing into waters off Kish island on May 12. They were released after the Emirati owners of two of the boats agreed to pay fines totalling Dh55,000.

ykakande@thenational.ae