Egypt's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu-Zeid said on Monday that the ministry is following up on developments concerning an Egyptian fishing boat that was seized on 29 January to the north of Port Sudan. The vessel was seized after it passed through a natural protectorate on its way back from Sudan to Egypt. "The boat's crew were referred to the prosecution in Port Sudan, which formed a committee to inspect and review its papers and affirmed that the boat fulfills all maritime safety requirements as well as fishing and security permits," Abu-Zeid said. "Egypt's general consulate in Sudan is communicating on legal procedures to have the boat released and its crew returned to their country," he added. The Sudanese authorities are providing the crew with all the necessary care, including food and medical attention, according to the statement.
