Sailboat Was on Iranian waters
Tehran, Dec. 01, 09 (Hamsayeh.Net) - Iranian officials confirmed the detention of five British nationals while transgressing inside Iranian maritime waters in the Persian Gulf. IRGC Naval Commander Ali Reza Tang-Siri said several British nationals have been arrested when their boat was found on national waters.
Yesterday, British Foreign Minister David Miliband said five British nationals were detained on November 25 in the Persian Gulf after their yacht trespassed on Iranian waters. He said the individuals were sailing from Bahrain to Dubai when they were arrested. He hoped the issue would soon be resolved.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mihman-parast also confirmed the arrests and said Iran is examining their case, IRNA reported. ‘Tehran is examining the accuracy of the report as well as its details and would comment on the issue immediately after gathering more information about the incident.’ Mihman-parast said at his weekly press conference.
This incident isn’t the first time that British citizens are arrested while trespassing inside Iranian borders. In March 2007, eight British Royal Navy sailors and seven marines arrested when their boats crossed into Iran at the mouth of the Karun River between Iran and Iraq. In a similar happening, in 2004, eight British servicemen were arrested in the same region. Iranian coastguards discovered espionage devices from those arrested. British Soldiers were later released.
MSN - - - Wikipedia - Hamsayeh.Net
