Missing Emirati, fishermen detained in Iran

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Missing Emirati, fishermen detained in Iran

Sharjah - All the missing Indians hail from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

By Anu Warrier

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Published: Sun 14 Aug 2016, 3:55 PM

The Emirati boat owner and three Indian fishermen who went missing on a fishing trip from Sharjah have been detained in Iran after wrongly crossing into Iranian waters.
Khaleej Times reported today that Jassim Abdullah Al Reissi has been missing with three Indian fishermen - Robert Parthalomi, Selvam Joseph and Viyagula Arnold on their fishing trip.
All the missing Indians hail from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
A relative of Jassim, the missing Emirati boat owner, confirmed to Khaleej Times that Jassim had contacted his family from Iran and informed his wife that they are detained by Iranian authorities.
The relative, who didn't want to disclose his name, said Jassim called his wife three days after his trip on August 2.
"He told her that they were detained by Iranian authorities and are safe. They will present Jassim and the workers in court soon and we hope they will be released after that."
Jassim, who retired from UAE Armed Forces in 2006 after a road accident, started the fishing business last month only.
"This was his second or third trip and the workers were also new here. Though they joined Jassim in April, they started working last month only because of some registration problems faced by Jassim. They might have crossed over to Iran unintentionally because they are not familiar with the sea," said the relative.
He added that the UAE Government authorities have already intervened into the matter and are taking necessary steps to bring Jassim back safely.
However, Justin Antony, president of India-based International Fishermen Development Trust, told Khaleej Times that he is yet to receive any response from Indian missions in Iran for his enquiries about the workers.
"I have sent emails to the missions in Tehran and Bandar Abbas. But no response from them yet. It's a relief for their families to know that they are safe there," said Antony.
anuwarrier@khaleejtimes.com


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