Forty Baloch fishermen from Balochistan and Karachi, who have completed their prison sentences in Iran, are still awaiting release.
According to reports from the families of the detainees, 40 fishermen from 10 different fishing vessels were detained by Iranian forces and sent to Minab prisons. The fishermen were handed three-year sentences by Iranian courts, which they completed two years ago.
The exact reason for their detention remains unclear, but it is suspected that they were caught by Iranian forces while fishing in Iranian waters. Despite completing their prison time, the Baloch fishermen continue to languish in prison for an additional two years with no explanation.
Among the detained fishermen from Karachi are Shiraz s/o Bakshi, Sikandar Ali s/o Muhammad Hussain, Muzaffar s/o Ghulam Mustafa, Sulaiman s/o Muhammad Hanif, Ghulam Rasool s/o Boral, Mehr Baksh s/o Umar Baksh, Samad s/o Goreech, and Hussain s/o Abdul Razaq.
The fishermen from Balochistan’s Pasni include Jalam Ahmad s/o Sahil, Rashid Ali s/o Wash Dil, and Sartaaj, among others.
The families of the detained fishermen have appealed to higher government authorities to intervene and urge the Iranian government to release the Baloch prisoners.