Iran releases detained telecoms workers

Gulf fishing trip goes Pete Tong

Iran has released three Nokia Siemens workers who were briefly detained by the country after they went on a fishing trip near a disputed island in the Arabian Gulf.

The three Finnish nationals arrived safely back in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, where they live and work, after their weekend fishing trip strayed into Iran's territorial waters near the island of Abu Musa, which is claimed by both the UAE and Iran. Nokia Siemens spokesman Barry French said the men were treated well during their detention.

The intervention of the Finnish government helped to secure the men's release, which was delayed due to poor weather in the region. "The men were released on Wednesday but were stuck on the island of Abu Musa because of a tropical storm," French told AP. Nokia Siemens declined to name the men, in line with their requests.

Abu Musa has to be one of the most dangerous places in the world to go fishing or sailing. A British couple and an Australian man were held for 13 days last year after their sailing boat strayed into Iranian territorial waters in a similar incident. ®