Iran frees Emiratis, Egyptian captives

abu dhabi — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) on Wednesday announced the release of seven UAE nationals and two Egyptian citizens by Iranian authorities.

According to a ministry’s statement, the UAE received the individuals, who had been held captive by Iran since the end of January 2019 following a fishing trip in the Arabian Gulf waters.

MOFAIC’s Under-Secretary, Ahmed Sari Al Mazrouei, thanked the Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA) and the UAE Coast Guards for their concerted efforts to secure the safe return of the captive individuals.

He stated that the ministry had monitored the case since its start, and placed concerted efforts to organise and work with competent authorities to secure the safe return of the nine individuals to their families.

Al Mazrouei stressed that affairs involving UAE’s citizens are a priority for the MOFAIC and that the ministry applied these principles to ensure the captives’ safe return in coordination with UAE’s authorities.

The nine captives were released into the care of the UAE Coast Guard in cooperation with the MOFAIC.

The individuals were received by Rashed Ali Al Dhaheri, Director of the Citizens’ Affairs Department; Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Director of the Foreign Resident’s Affairs Department; and Abdulrahman Al Shamsi, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Office in Sharjah.

The released individuals praised the ministry’s efforts as well as the efforts of the UAE Embassy in Iran, and the UAE Coast Guard.