Iran releases 9 of 12 Indians captured from detained ship
What's the story
Iran has released nine out of 12 Indian sailors aboard UAE vessel, MT Riah, who were detained in the first week of July. Iranian authorities seized the UAE ship allegedly for smuggling Iranian fuel.
However, 21 Indians from two seized ships - three from MT Riah and 18 crew members from British oil tanker Stena Impero - are still in Iran's detention.
Here's more.
Details
Indian Embassy gets consular access to 18 Indians onboard Impero
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard had seized British oil tanker Stena Impero last week in the Strait of Hormuz over the alleged violation of international maritime regulations.
On Thursday, the Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, tweeted that the Indian Embassy in Tehran got consular access to the 18 Indian crew members onboard Stena Impero.
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All 18 Indian crew members safe and doing fine: Muraleedharan
MoS for External Affairs Muraleedharan tweeted, "Received an update on 'Stena Impero'. Our Embassy availed consular access today evening. All 18 Indian crew members on board are safe and doing fine. Will continue to push for their early release."
Twitter Post
Here's what Muraleedharan tweeted
Received an update on ‘Stena Impero’. Our Embassy availed consular access today evening. All 18 Indian crew members on board are safe and doing fine. Will continue to push for their early release. @narendramodi @PMOIndia @AmitShah @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia @VMBJP pic.twitter.com/YqtFupLuZA
— V. Muraleedharan (@MOS_MEA) July 25, 2019
Grace 1
24 Indians aboard ship seized by British marines, Gibraltar police
Meanwhile, 24 Indians crew members, who were aboard Iranian shipping vessel Grace 1 seized earlier in July, are also under detention. The Iranian oil tanker was seized by the British marines and Gibraltar police authorities off the Spanish coast.
Indian officials have met these crew members and assured them that necessary steps will be taken by the government for their early release and repatriation.
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Assured all assistance for early release: Muraleedharan
Muraleedharan also tweeted a team from the Indian High Commission in London met the 24 Indian crew members and staff onboard Grace 1. "Crew's morale is high. Assured all assistance for early release. HCI London will facilitate necessary travel document and related arrangements," he tweeted.
Twitter Post
Indian High Commission in London meets Indian crew on Grace-1
@HCI_London team met the Indian crew/staff on board VLCC Grace 1 yesterday. Crew’s morale is high. Assured all assistance for early release. HCI London will facilitate necessary travel document and related arrangements. @narendramodi @PMOIndia @AmitShah @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/xEMsJpNeDo
— V. Muraleedharan (@MOS_MEA) July 25, 2019
Statement
Crew members in regular touch with family members: MEA Spokesperson
MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that consular access to the Indians on board Grace 1 was granted on Wednesday following which a three-member team visited them.
"They had been in regular touch with their family members. We had assured them that the government of India will undertake all the necessary steps to ensure their early release and repatriation," he said.