15 TN fishermen detained by Iran

According to sources, 15 Tamil Nadu fishermen had set sail from Dubai along with two local fishermen on October 22. While they were casting the net, Iranian authorities, who came to the spot, arrested all of them.

All the 15 were put in the jail for 10 days in Iran and later taken to the nearby Kish Island, where they were made to sit in a boat for 20 days.

Though their mobile phones were confiscated, one of the fishermen managed to hide his cell and sent an audio message to their family members to approach the Centre for their release.

They had stated that they were not being given proper food and were facing several hardships. They alleged that the officials were giving only kubus and Arabic bread once a day. In the message, they have requested the Indian government to rescue them.

Speaking to DTNEXT, Justin Antony, founder president, International Fishermen Development Trust (INFIDET), said that out of 15 fishermen, eight were from Kanniyakumari, five from Tirunelveli and two others from Thoothukudi. “We only know the names of four of them and have no other information about the group,” he said.