Iran releases 15 Indian fishermen

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - The Iranian government has released a group of detained Indian fishermen, local media reported on Wednesday.

According to Press Trust of India (PTI), a local news agency, at least 15 Indian fishermen and three more from Dubai, had illegally entered Iran's Kish Island in the Persian Gulf in July 2018. The Indian fishermen were in three boats owned by Dubai-based businessmen.

Soon after their detention, the imprisoned Indian fishermen had sent a video detailing their situation to local Indian officials, who took up the matter with Indian foreign ministry.

An Indian official told the PTI that the delayed release of the fishermen was a punishment to the group as one of the three Dubai-based fishermen had escaped from the boat during detention.

The release of Indian fishermen coincided with the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif to India, where he discussed bilateral issues including operations of strategic Chabahar port in southeastern Iran.