Egypt's envoy to Cyprus Mai Khalil receives five freed Egyptian fishermen who were arrested last week in northern Cyprus (Photo Courtesy of Egypt's MOFA)
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday that its envoy in Cyprus received five Egyptian fishermen in Northern Cyprus. The fishermen were released into the envoy's custody one week after their arrest for breaching territorial waters.
In an official statement Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid, Egypt’s ambassador in Cyprus, Mai Khalil, received the fishermen following their arrival at Cyprus’s Limassol Port on Saturday.
The fishermen were arrested off the coast of Kyrenia for illegal entry and fishing. On Friday, Abu Zeid stated that the Cypriot court had fined the fishermen 500 euros each (EGP 10,500 pounds).
Khalil said the fishermen were in high spirits, and she highlighted the embassy's efforts to facilitate their release as well as the full cooperation by Cypriot counterparts on the matter.
The five men and their vessel were allowed to leave after the Cypriot-Greek Company that owned the ship the fishermen were on paid the fine.
Arrests made over an illegal entry and fishing by Egyptian fishermen are common.
Fishermen arrested by the authorities are usually released after fines are paid.
Short link: