Neo
04-04-2007, 10:32 AM
Iran Frees Brit Captives
Updated: 16:15, Wednesday April 04, 2007
Iran is freeing the 15 UK sailors and marines taken captive in the Shatt al Arab waterway 13 days ago as a "gift" to Britain.
Some have been shown on Iranian TV speaking to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at his palace in the capital Tehran.
According to reports, the 15 Britons "shouted with joy" on learning about their release.
It was announced by President Ahmadinejad who said he had pardoned them as a gift to the British people.
The gesture was also to mark the birthday of Islam's Prophet Mohammed and Easter.
An Iranian official in London said the sailors would be handed over to the British embassy in Tehran.
They are expected to fly home to Britain tomorrow.
Celebrations are already under way in Hayle, Cornwall, the home town of 21-year-old Nathan Summers.
His grandmother, April Rawsthorne, told Sky News: "I am just so happy today."
The family of Royal Marine Adam Sperry, 22, from Aylestone, Leicester, hailed the news as "the best present imaginable".
Marine Sperry's brother, James, said: "I've just told my mum and she's really chuffed."
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "We welcome what the President has said about the release of our 15 personnel."
President Ahmadinejad announced the Britons' release after awarding medals to the "brave" border guards who had arrested them.
"I would like to thank the Iranian coast guard for courgeously defending our Iranian territorial waters," he said.
He then pinned medals on the chests of three Coast Guard officers. The ceremony was performed during a press conference broadcast around the world.
The controversial leader said he was "saddened" that Britain had violated Iranian waters.
He also accused the Government of concealing the truth about the affair and the EU of being too quick to condemn Iran.
"Is this the kind of attitude, manner that we want to run Europe - this is the European Union - without investigating they announce a certain stance.
"Respect for sovereignty - is it just a claim or is it a fact?"
Earlier, Iran said London was taking "appropriate action" to end the row over the captives.
The news conference was eagerly watched in Whitehall and by the families of the sailors and marines in their homes.
They were captured after boarding an Indian merchantman in the Shatt al Arab waterway in what the UK has insisted were Iraqi territorial waters.
News of their release came after the UK was said to have begun direct negotiations with the Iranian government through its chief negotiator Mr Ali Larijani.
No 10 refused to confirm a report the Prime Minister's chief foreign affairs adviser Sir Nigel Sheinwald had taken personal charge of the talks and spoken to Mr Larijani himself.
Sky News: Breakthrough Hopes Grow (http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1259008,00.html)
Updated: 16:15, Wednesday April 04, 2007
Iran is freeing the 15 UK sailors and marines taken captive in the Shatt al Arab waterway 13 days ago as a "gift" to Britain.
Some have been shown on Iranian TV speaking to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at his palace in the capital Tehran.
According to reports, the 15 Britons "shouted with joy" on learning about their release.
It was announced by President Ahmadinejad who said he had pardoned them as a gift to the British people.
The gesture was also to mark the birthday of Islam's Prophet Mohammed and Easter.
An Iranian official in London said the sailors would be handed over to the British embassy in Tehran.
They are expected to fly home to Britain tomorrow.
Celebrations are already under way in Hayle, Cornwall, the home town of 21-year-old Nathan Summers.
His grandmother, April Rawsthorne, told Sky News: "I am just so happy today."
The family of Royal Marine Adam Sperry, 22, from Aylestone, Leicester, hailed the news as "the best present imaginable".
Marine Sperry's brother, James, said: "I've just told my mum and she's really chuffed."
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "We welcome what the President has said about the release of our 15 personnel."
President Ahmadinejad announced the Britons' release after awarding medals to the "brave" border guards who had arrested them.
"I would like to thank the Iranian coast guard for courgeously defending our Iranian territorial waters," he said.
He then pinned medals on the chests of three Coast Guard officers. The ceremony was performed during a press conference broadcast around the world.
The controversial leader said he was "saddened" that Britain had violated Iranian waters.
He also accused the Government of concealing the truth about the affair and the EU of being too quick to condemn Iran.
"Is this the kind of attitude, manner that we want to run Europe - this is the European Union - without investigating they announce a certain stance.
"Respect for sovereignty - is it just a claim or is it a fact?"
Earlier, Iran said London was taking "appropriate action" to end the row over the captives.
The news conference was eagerly watched in Whitehall and by the families of the sailors and marines in their homes.
They were captured after boarding an Indian merchantman in the Shatt al Arab waterway in what the UK has insisted were Iraqi territorial waters.
News of their release came after the UK was said to have begun direct negotiations with the Iranian government through its chief negotiator Mr Ali Larijani.
No 10 refused to confirm a report the Prime Minister's chief foreign affairs adviser Sir Nigel Sheinwald had taken personal charge of the talks and spoken to Mr Larijani himself.
Sky News: Breakthrough Hopes Grow (http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1259008,00.html)