Fishermen jailed in Iran likely to be freed today

By Ramesh Mathew/Reporter

Twenty-nine Indian fishermen from Qatar who have been in jail in Iran since October 8, for straying into that country’s waters, are likely to be released today.Nizar Kochery, regional co-ordinator, South Asian Fishermen’s Fraternity, said yesterday that one of the fishermen in the group, stranded in Iran following the group’s detention, told him that they were expecting papers for release today.According to the fisherman, seven were already out of jail.Kochery said sponsors in Qatar had reportedly remitted the fine imposed on their boats by an Iranian court.Inquiries with the fishermen found that QR72,000 have been remitted by the boat owners to secure their release. In all, seven boats which went out from Qatar were seized by the Iranian coastguards along with 29 fishermen.Kochery said he expected the 29 fishermen to reach Wakrah on December 31.He said the forum is planning to hold an awareness session for the arrested fishermen and other fishermen in Shamal and Al Khor. “This is to ensure that there is no more border violation by Indian fishermen working in the region,” he added. Hailing the Iran’s decision to release the fishermen in a statement in India’s Kannyakumari, SAFF secretary general J Churchill thanked all those who expressed solidarity with the arrested fishermen during their detention.All except three fishermen apprehended by the Iranian coastguards are natives of Kannyakumari while two are from neighbouring Kerala. Another member of the group hailed from Pondicherry.