After being held in an Iranian jail for months, four Indian seafarers were released on July 29. However, hours after, they were once again taken back to prison.
The seafarers returned to prison as there was no one to hand them over to and repatriate to India.
The four sailors were on board M T Manaman 8, when the Iranian Coast Guard arrested the crew members and sent them to prison, for allegedly transporting unauthorised oil. The arrest took place in March this year.
One of the seafarers informed media that neither the shipowner nor the captain of the vessel came to their rescue.
After months in prison, the seafarers were released on July 29. However, there was no official to receive them and make the necessary arrangements for their repatriation to India. This resulted in the seafarers to be taken back to prison.
Now, Sailors’ Society has taken up the matter with the Union Ministry of External Affairs. Commenting on the situation, Manoj Joy V, Community Development Manager, Sailors’ Society, informed that, being ordinary seafarers, the Indian crew members did not know the membership of the cargo or the details of the end receiver.
For this reason, he has requested the Ministry of External Affairs intervention to provide for their repatriation.