Iran releases 15 Indian fishermen, Sushma Swaraj praises Indian Embassy in Iran
Iran has released 15 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who were detained along with their Bahraini boats, said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday.
Taking to Twitter, Swaraj made the announcement about the release of the Indian fishermen. She further appreciated the good work done by the Indian Embassy in Iran.
I am happy to inform that Iran has released our 15 fishermen from Tamil Nadu. They were detained with their 3 Bahraini boats. /1
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 3, 2017
15 fishermen from Tamil Nadu had been taken into custody by Iranian authorities on October 22 last year after allegedly straying into Iranian waters while on their way from Bahrain to Sharjah, while 22 others were arrested between August 2016 and January this year.
Last month an Iranian court had ruled that the 15 Indian fishermen who were detained in the country could be released, however, 22 more men still remain in Iran’s custody.
I appreciate the good work by Indian Embassy in Iran. /2
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 3, 2017
Earlier, the Delhi High Court asked the Centre what steps it has taken to ensure the early release of 15 Indian fishermen, working for some Baharainians, detained by Iran since September last year for entering its waters.
Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to file a status report indicating steps taken by it to ensure that the Iranian authorities provide food, medicines and other essentials to the fishermen who are confined to their boats since their arrest on September 22, 2016.
The direction was issued after MEA, represented by central government standing counsel Amit Mahajan, said that steps have been taken for their early release and to ensure that they are provided with food and other essentials.
The court was hearing a petition filed by the brother of one of the fishermen, who, according to the plea, have already paid the fine of Rs 13,50,000 (Rs 4.5 lakh per boat) imposed on them by an Iranian court.
The petitioner, Tamil Nadu resident A Derinse, has alleged that the fishermen, aged between 25-50 years, were not being released as Iran wanted Bahrain to release some Iranians jailed there in connection with a drug case.
The plea, filed through advocate Sabarish Subramaniam, has alleged that the fishermen were kept on their boats even during the winter months without proper clothing, food and medicines.
The petitioner has sought directions to the government to take immediate action to bring them back.
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