British Racing Yacht Detained in Iran
Posted on November 30, 2009
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Five British sailors have been detained in Iran after their racing yacht was stopped by the Iranian navy while sailing from Bahrain to Dubai. It was noted that they may have inadvertently sailed into Iranian waters.
The racing yacht, owned by Sail Bahrain and crewed by the five Britons, was stopped by Iranian naval vessels last Wednesday. The crew members are still in Iran. All are understood to be safe and well and their families have been informed.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said:
“FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) officials immediately contacted the Iranian authorities in London and in Tehran on the evening of November 25, both to seek clarification and to try and resolve the matter swiftly.
“Our ambassador in Tehran has raised the issue with the Iranian foreign ministry and we have discussed the matter with the Iranian embassy in London. I hope this issue will soon be resolved. We will remain in close touch with the Iranian authorities, as well as the families.”
The boat had been due to take part in the 360-mile Dubai-Muscat Offshore Sailing Race which was due to start last Thursday. The race passes through the shallows of the Arabian Gulf, into the deep waters of the Indian Ocean via the Straits of Hormuz, before arriving into the Oman capital of Muscat.
Shadow foreign minister David Lidington called for the sailors to be released immediately.
He told the BBC:
“I think it is completely unjustifiable and I believe Iran should release these people from captivity without delay. There was no justification for them being arrested in the first place.”
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