Emirati fishermen awaiting trial being held on Kish Island

ABU DHABI // Iranian authorities have seized the boats of eight Emiratis after they were found to have trespassed into the country’s territories.

A senior source at the Ajman Association for Fishermen said the eight men, who left from Ajman, remain on Kish Island and are awaiting trial for illegally entering the territorial waters of another country.

Contrary to some media reports, the men have not been detained on board their boats, but are staying on the island.

The senior source said he was in constant contact with the fishermen and with the Ministry of Interior. The incident is not the first of its kind.

Last year, nine Emiratis were detained on the same charge. The two crews had left from Umm Al Quwain before crossing into Kish waters after leaving UAQ.

In the past, fishermen have been held for up to two months while the cases wound through the courts.

Fishermen have repeatedly been warned by UAE authorities not to cross into territorial waters of other nations.

Ghareeb Al Seraidy, a Federal National Council member from Fujairah and a former coastguard official, said usually no boat could pass without informing the coastguard of its destination, otherwise it would be followed and stopped.

He added that the two governments had in the past dealt with such trespassers with respect.

“If sailors from Iran or from anywhere cross, we would also detain them,” he said. “And it has happened before. But we treat them as they treat us.”