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Iranian Court releases 6 K’taka fishermen from captivity

Karwar/Iran: The six fishermen of Uttara Kannada district, who were arrested by the security forces of Iran for violating the water territory of Iran, have been released by a Court in Iran, on Saturday, October 13th. The 6 fishermen were incarcerated since 50 days.

The fishermen who are originally from Kumta and Bhatkal had gone for fishing in the sea from Dubai and were arrested for violating international waters.

Incident synopsis

11 fishermen and seven fishermen left for fishing from Dubai on July 27, 2018 and August 25, 2018 respectively. While fishing, they entered the prohibited area in Iranian water space to catch tiger fish. The Iranian security force personnel, who saw these fishermen, arrested them and seized their boats.

Of the arrested 18 fishermen arrested, six were sent to prison. Rest 12 people were kept in the boat itself. One of them made a video and sent the same to a person in Uttara Kannada district and said that they have been arrested by the Iran coast guards and sought help.

A person named Sanjim saw the video and brought the situation of the arrested fishermen to the notice of the leaders of the fishermen organization. Then they sent an appeal to foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and requested her to intervene and release the fishermen. The minister held discussions with the Iranian government and hence, six of the fishermen were released on Saturday, October 13th. The remaining 12 fishermen are expected to be released soon.