Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely following up on the situation of 16 fishermen detained in Tunisia for trespassing in Tunisian territorial waters, state news agency MENA quoted the ministry's spokesman as saying Saturday. “Once the [Egyptian] embassy knew about the detention of the fishermen, an envoy was sent to make sure they were alright,” ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid stated.
The crew of the ship Sea's Angel surrendered to Tunisian authorities without resistance, Abu Zeid added.
The foreign ministry is working on deporting back to Egypt as many detained fishermen as possible, according to the spokesman.
Meanwhile, Abu Zeid said the ministry is currently following up on three crew members of another Egyptian ship held by Tunisian authorities for trespassing in October, and that are being prosecuted in front of a Tunisian court.
This is the latest incident involving Egyptian fishermen arrested in the territorial waters of neighbouring countries like Sudan, Libya and Tunisia.
Egypt's foreign ministry has repeatedly intervened in these cases to ensure the release of the fishermen and has warned Egyptians against trespassing in foreign waters.
