Turkmen Shooting of Iranian Fishermen Draws Protest from Tehran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iran’s Foreign Ministry has officially protested against the shooting of Iranian fishermen in the Caspian Sea by Turkmenistan’s border guards, demanding an “immediate and formal” explanation from Ashgabat, a spokesperson said.
Following reports that Turkmen sea border guards have killed two Iranian fishermen and arrested two others after opening fire at their boat in the Caspian Sea, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Tehran has contacted Turkmen authorities to follow up on the issue.
“In an official note, we called on the government of that country (Turkmenistan) to provide explanation about the incident, and we continue pursuing the matter,” he added.
“We have a strong objection to the injudicious move by the Turkmen border guards who shot at a civilian fishing boat because even if Iranian fishermen approach the Turkmen waters, border guards can, based on international norms, (only) warn the fishermen off that country’s territorial waters,” the spokesperson added.
“So, we are demanding an immediate and official explanation from relevant officials in Turkmenistan and we hope the circumstances surrounding the incident will come to light given the friendly relations between the two countries and through the cooperation of pertinent authorities of that government,” IFP quoted him as saying.
