More than a year has passed since the detention of twelve Baloch sailors in Yemeni waters, and these individuals remain in custody without effective action or support from relevant Iranian authorities. The sailors, originating from various cities across Balochistan and a few from Karachi, were arrested by Yemeni maritime and military forces, with the support of the Saudi–Emirati coalition, during a commercial voyage transporting urea fertilizer— a petrochemical product—on a cargo dhow. The shipment’s manifest listed Mogadishu, Somalia, as the official destination.
According to the sailors’ statements, after encountering a severe storm they altered course toward the port of Al-Salif in Yemen, where they discovered that the shipping documents issued from Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar were forged. They reported that they only knew the cargo company through the name on the manifest and an individual identified by the surname “Sheikhi.” During their route, coalition maritime forces intercepted the vessel, detained the crew, and later transferred them to a detention facility in the port of Mokha. The sailors have stated that they have been treated humanely while in custody.
Coalition forces allege that the cargo originated in Iran and was intended for Houthi forces, calling for accountability from Iranian authorities and the Tehran-based company responsible for the shipment. Despite repeated attempts by the dhow’s owner to contact the cargo company, the company has not provided any explanation nor taken any steps to secure the release of the crew or the seized vessel. Families of the detainees have approached multiple governmental bodies, including the governor’s office, judiciary, officials at Shahid Beheshti Port, and the management of the shipping company in Tehran, but no action has been taken.
Names of the Detained Crew Members
- Abdulghani Rasani, 52, from Konarak (captain)
- Morteza Ayan, 31, from Konarak
- Abdullah Opra, 39, from Konarak
- Aslam Aroon, 44, from Chabahar
- Amin Iranpanah, 36, from Chabahar
- Anis Ariyanzhad, 34, from Konarak
- Abdullah Melkereysi, 27, from Sarbaz
- Mohsen Aroon, 43, from Chabahar
- Farhan, 26, from Karachi
- Uzair Dada, 25, from Karachi
- Abdulaziz Dada, 54, from Karachi
- Amin Ali Darzadeh, son of Elhdad
Violations of Citizen Rights Under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The absence of meaningful action by Iranian state institutions regarding these detainees stands in conflict with several constitutional provisions intended to protect citizens’ rights. Relevant articles include:
Article 22
The dignity, life, property, rights, and security of individuals are inviolable except as provided by law.
Failure to protect the sailors’ safety and rights represents a violation of this principle.
Article 34
Every citizen has the right to seek justice.
Lack of legal support and absence of institutional advocacy constitute a breach of this article.
Article 38
Forced confessions are prohibited.
Broadcasting confessions recorded under detention without legal counsel raises concerns under this article.
Article 40
No person may use their rights in a manner harmful to others.
Negligence by the cargo company in failing to pursue the crew’s release has directly harmed these individuals.
Articles 151 & 152
These articles mandate the state to safeguard the nation’s security and protect Iranian citizens abroad.
The lack of effective consular action violates this constitutional obligation.
Recommendations
Immediate intervention by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure the release and repatriation of the sailors
Investigation into the Tehran-based company responsible for the forged documents
Provision of legal assistance and compensation for affected families
Transparency regarding how forged shipping documents were used to load cargo at Chabahar Port
Implementation of safeguards to protect Iranian seafarers working in high-risk maritime zones
This report highlights the urgent need for state authorities to fulfill their legal and constitutional responsibilities toward citizens who have been placed in danger outside the country.
