SEVEN Bahraini fishermen detained in Qatar finally arrived back home yesterday after being held in custody for almost a month.
They were joined by two Bahrain-based Bangladeshi fishermen on the Bahrain-registered boat Fares Al Baher (Sea Knight).
The men arrived at the Muharraq jetty around midday, accompanied by Qatar Coastguard officials.
They were welcomed by Muharraq deputy governor Colonel Sultan Al Sulaiti, family members and friends.
The Bahraini fishermen were identified as Fadhel Al Sayed Yousif, Ammar Al Sayed Majed, Mohammed Ahmed Al Asfoor, Deyaeddin Ahmed Al Shaikh, Al Sayed Ala'a Jawad, Abbas Al Sayed Ali and Hassan Mohammed Ali. The men were allowed to leave Qatar on Monday after paying fines of between BD200 and BD1,000.
They had been held for allegedly straying into the country's territorial waters.
However, the Bahraini Embassy paid their fines to pave way for their release from police custody.
Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) coalition representative Salman Nasser said it was hoped a second batch of fishermen would arrive home today.
They include Bahrainis Mohammed Khadem and Abdulla Abdulkareem and a number of Asian fishermen.
"We are hopeful that the second batch will be coming next and this dilemma will end," said Mr Nasser.
The release of the fishermen means only Bahraini Adel Ali Mohammed, who had a travel ban imposed on him ahead of a court hearing on July 8, remains in Doha.
He was shot in the back by the Qatari Coastguard after allegedly straying into its territorial waters last month and is staying at an apartment paid for by the Bahraini Embassy in Doha.
Ban
Qatar ordered the release of all Bahraini and Asian fishermen, held on charges of straying into Qatari waters, on June 13.
Qatar's Amir Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani also directed authorities to release Bahraini boats, while Bahrain was told that proceedings were underway to release all Bahraini and Asian fishermen.
However, only eight vessels were released the following day.
A coalition representing Bahrainis arrested by Qatari authorities was launched by the BHRWS comprising freed fishermen and lawyers.
More than 100 fishermen have been arrested in the last few months for straying into Qatari waters.
basma@gdn.com.bh
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