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UK couple freed after sailing too close to Iran | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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LONDON, (Reuters) – A British couple were home in Dubai on Friday after spending 13 days in an Iranian jail for sailing their yacht near a disputed island in the Gulf.

Stuart Wise said he and his wife Linda had planned to anchor near the island of Abu Musa, which is claimed by Iran and the United Arab Emirates, after reading on maps that it was a safe harbour. Two gunboats pulled up and whisked them to Iran.

&#34To be frank, we were treated fine. We were treated courteously. We were given food,&#34 he told BBC radio from Dubai.

&#34At the individual level, I have no complaints about the Iranians we came into contact with.&#34

But he said the couple were questioned for days, without being told what they were accused of.

&#34I think we had five interrogation teams,&#34 he said. &#34I think they thought this was some subtle form of spying, perhaps.&#34

The couple were permitted to phone their family, who alerted the British embassy. They were released on Thursday and flew home overnight, the British Foreign Office said.

&#34We”re delighted that they”re safe and well and back in Dubai. Our staff worked tirelessly for their release,&#34 a Foreign Office spokesman said.