Hardliners in Iran call for captured Royal Marines to face trial

World news

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

By Terri Judd in Bahrain

Iran insisted yesterday that the 15 captive Royal Marines and sailors were fit and well, as the country’s hardliners called for them to be put on trial for an alleged “illegal” crossing of the Iran-Iraq border.

But last night a senior coalition official rebutted the claim, revealing that they had interviewed the master of the merchant dhow the patrol had boarded, who confirmed that the Royal Navy team were clearly in Iraqi waters when they were apprehended by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. “We have statements from the Indian master of the boarded vessel, which was anchored in Iraqi waters, to say they were alongside it when they were detained,” the source said.

He continued: “They are just 15 people doing their job and doing it in Iraqi territorial waters. I hope the Iranians recog-nise that and send them home.” He said that the task force – a massive military operation protecting Iraq’s vital Basra and Khawr al-Amaya oil terminals from attack – was now taking a “fresh look” at all their procedures, but were unlikely to make any dramatic changes. He added: “I think they [the Marines and sailors] showed remarkable restraint and maturity and handled this properly. I would hope any coalition members would do the same, including the Americans.”

The Royal Navy team, from HMS Cornwall – including one young mother – were seized on Friday after a UN-authorised inspection of the merchant dhow. Within minutes, the two British boats were encircled by as many as 20 Iranian military vessels.

Yesterday, the Iraqi government joined a growing number of international voices to call for the safe and swift release of the captives. Hoshyar Zebari, the Foreign Minister, spoke to his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki, insisting the British personnel were operating with Iraqi consent in their waters and urging the neighbouring nation to deal with he issue “legally and wisely”. “We have good relations, good communications, with the Iranian government. We are going to use whatever influence, goodwill, we have to ensure that these sailors are released as soon as possible,” he added.

But Mr Mottaki – in New York, where the United Nations had on Sunday imposed fresh sanctions on Iran over its refusal to suspend its nuclear programme – reiterated his nation’s claim that the patrol was on the wrong side of the border. “This has happened in the past as well. In terms of legal issues, it’s under investigation,” he said.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has refused to reveal where the service personnel are being held, or grant permission for access by British officials in the country. Hardline students in Iran have called for the Marines and sailors to be put on trial.