MNA – Since four years ago, a host of Iranian fishermen have been held in captivity by pirates and terrorists in Somlia.







While Iranian fishermen from southeastern province of Sistan and Balouchestan are among the most successful fishermen in the region, they have been challenged seriously since 2008 with pirates and terrorists based in Somalia.

According to local officials since ten years ago 54 fishing vessels and their crews have been looted and kidnapped by Somalia-based terrorists and pirates. The official says that many of kidnapped fishermen found the chance to escape the prisons or were freed by Iranian intelligence agents but there are still 18 fishermen who have not been freed yet.

A fishing vessel headed by Younes Parehjou and Jamaloddin Dehvari with 20 fishermen on board was caught by pirates in March 2015. While 4 of these fisherman managed to escape 6 months later, the rest were still in captivity.

Out of the 16 remained in prison, 8 were killed because of torture, thirst and hunger. 4 were freed with the help of Iranian ministry of intelligence. And there are still 4 fishermen in pirates’ prison.

Another fishing vessel headed by Captain Bashir was snatched by Al-Shabab terrorists in April 2015 and the 14 fishermen on board are still held captive.