SEAFARER CRIMINALISATION. Human Rights at Sea continues supporting the case of crew from the Palau-flagged oil products tanker HARBOUR PHOENIX detained in Iran.
Today, with express permission, we issue a direct plea from the family of one of the 10 detained seafarers.
Seafarer, Adarsh Singh writes:
"10 Indian Seafarers, including my brother, Mr Aniket Singh, are languishing in jail with their case unresolved. We appeal for Indian and Iranian Goverments, and international authorities help to bring them home."
Indian crew members of the vessel HARBOUR PHOENIX, IMO (9110432) including Aniket Singh from Uttar Pradesh India have been detained in Iran’s Bandar Abbas jail since their vessel was seized by Iranian authorities in July 2025.
My brother, Mr Aniket Singh was working as part of the 10-member Indian crew on HARBOUR PHOENIX when the ship was detained. Since then, the we have had limited communication and no clarity on the legal charges or timeline for release.
“We are living in constant fear for his safety, especially given the current situation in Iran. Eight Indian crew members from another vessel were recently released. We respectfully request the Government of India, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene urgently and bring my brother and the other nine Indians home safely.”
We have appealed to the Indian Embassy in Tehran and the Ministry of External Affairs for consular access, legal assistance, and diplomatic intervention. We are also requesting national and international media to highlight the case to ensure it receives attention at the highest levels. The prolonged detention has caused severe emotional and mental distress.
“We just want our sons, brothers, and husbands back home, “They went to earn a livelihood. They are not criminals.”
We have urged the MEA, IMO and Human Rights at Sea to take up the matter with Iranian authorities on priority and ensure the crew’s safety, health, and early repatriation."
ENDS.
Seafarer Criminalisation
The continued challenges of apparent automatic criminalisation of seafarers caught unawares by alleged participation unlawful activity by their vessel continues globally.
The matter of Chief Mate Ali Albokhari sentenced to 30 years in a Turkish jail is a case which remains yet unresolved.
The matter of the eight Filipino crew members from MV HARRIS arrested in Algeria on 28 July 2023 after authorities discovered 35.8 kilos of cocaine onboard is another case yet unresolved.
Human Rights at Sea Coverage
12 January 2026. Seafarers’ families desperate for news of detained crew in Iran.
Source: Human Rights at Sea 2026.
Photo credit: Adarsh Singh 2026.
AI. AI was not used in the drafting of this article.
Photo Credit: Human Rights at Sea.
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