5 Egyptian fishermen detained in Iran released: Official

CAIRO – 4 February 2019: “In light of the Foreign Ministry’s keenness on ensuring safety of Egyptian citizens abroad, the ministry’s efforts could result in releasing the five fishermen who were detained by Iranian authorities on Sunday, Feb. 3,” according to the Foreign Ministry's statement.

The five Egyptian fishermen were detained over charges of illegally entering Iranian territorial waters on a Saudi fishing boat, the statement reported.

The ministry assigned Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs and Egyptian Expatriates Yasser Hashim to stand on the legal status of the Egyptian fishermen and check their well-being, statement added.

The fishermen had been detained since December 2018.