Qatar yesterday condemned a statement issued by the Bahraini interior ministry on the detention of 15 Bahraini boats carrying 20 sailors, describing it as a desperate attempt to escalate the ongoing diplomatic dispute.
An official source at Qatar’s Ministry of Interior (MoI) said the detention of the fishing boats, which illegally entered Qatari waters, was not a new procedure. All unauthorised fishing boats receive a warning to leave Qatari waters, and are referred to the competent authorities if they do not comply.
The crew will be released within three days, while the ships will be detained until the relevant court makes a decision.
The source added that the MoI, represented by the Coast and Borders Security Department, had repeatedly warned the fishermen not to fish in Qatari waters and not resort to harmful fishing practices. These warnings received no response.
Further, the official source underlined that Qatar does not allow any breach of its maritime borders, and is committed to international treaties and covenants relating to international maritime conventions. All parties must abide by this in order to ensure maritime safety.
Meanwhile, AFP cited a statement on Bahraini interior ministry website which said Qatar had seized three Bahraini boats with 16 aboard in the past two days.
Coast Guard commander Ala Siyadi said in the statement that this took to 15 the overall number of boats seized and 20 the number of fishermen.
The Bahraini authorities did not specify when the other four people were detained.
Bahrain joined a Saudi-led bloc of nations in breaking diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of links to extremists and getting close to Iran. Qatar has denied the allegations.
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