Five Britons, arrested when their yacht drifted into Iranian waters, arrived in Dubai last night after spending almost a week under investigation.
The five men - Oliver Smith, Oliver Young, Sam Usher, Luke Porter and David Bloomer - were brought by a speedboat from their racing vessel Kingdom to Bahrain to the Dubai International Marine Club at around 9.15pm. They were met by Guy Warrington, the British Consul General, and Saeed Harib, the president of the UAE Marine Sports Federation.
All appeared in good spirits, wearing white T-shirts with "crew" written on the back.
Mr Smith, the captain of the vessel, said there had been "plenty of moments" at the beginning of their ordeal when they were concerned about how the situation would end.
"It was our mistake to end up there, we didn't want to end up there," said Mr Smith, speaking on behalf of his team during a press conference just an hour after they arrived in Dubai last night.
"We had no intention of upsetting anyone, we were just trying to get here to start a yacht race."
During their almost week in captivity, the men were kept together and Mr Bloomer, the oldest crew member and a radio DJ in Bahrain, said that they were treated well.
"All of the Iranians, once they discovered we had no ill-intent and it was a genuine mistake, went out of their way to be friendly to all of us," he said. "But, we still looked to the skipper for guidance."
According to Nick Crabtree, the director of Team Pindar, the decision was taken to bring the crew to Dubai because it was closer than traveling directly back to Bahrain. They were being held just 65 miles from Dubai, he said.
Their ordeal began last Wednesday, when the 60ft yacht developed propeller problems en route from Bahrain to Dubai, the starting point for the 360-mile Dubai-Muscat Offshore Sailing Race, which began on November 26. Without power, they drifted into Iranian waters, where they were seized by the elite Revolutionary Guard navy.
After interrogation, however, Tehran decided the sailors had committed an innocent mistake. They were towed back to international waters and released.
"After carrying out an investigation and interrogation of the five British sailors, it became clear their illegal entry was a mistake," the Revolutionary Guard navy said in a statement on the state IRNA news agency.
"After obtaining necessary guarantees, it was decided to release them."
Their release eased concerns that the arrest could heighten tensions in the ongoing row over Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The US claims Iran's nuclear programme is intended for weapons development, and Tehran continues to insist the programme is peaceful.
Iran had warned on Tuesday that the sailors would be prosecuted if it was proven they had "bad intentions" when they entered Iranian waters.
Britain, which had been keen to diffuse the situation before it became too politicised, was pleased by their prompt release.
"I welcome the fact this has been dealt with in a straightforward, professional way by the Iranian authorities," said the British foreign secretary, David Miliband.
"Obviously this has been a real ordeal for the young men and their families and I'm really delighted that it's over for them and that we can call the matter closed."
It was not clear where the Britons were held while in custody.
David Young, whose son Oliver was among the five yachtsmen, said he was "very relieved" by the news. "We thought it would be over quickly. This is what we were hoping for," Mr Young said.
Andrew Pindar, the chairman of the Sail Bahrain team which owns the sailors' yacht, thanked the Iranian authorities. "It has been an extremely worrying time for all of us and particularly for the families and loved ones of those on board," he said.
He said the team had sent out a boat to meet the crew and accompany them safely to shore.
In 2007, Iran seized 15 British military personnel in the Gulf, claiming they had entered Iranian waters, though Britain insisted they were in Iraqi waters. After 12 days all were freed.
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Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Results
3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,000m; Winner: Dhafra, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Al Ajayib, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
4pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Ashtr, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Falcon Claws, Szczepan Mazur, Doug Watson
5pm: Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Al Mufham SB, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Badar Al Hajri
5.30pm: Sharjah Marathon – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,700m; Winner: Asraa Min Al Talqa, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
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Fast%20X
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