Hostage Faye may be tried
The 15 British sailors and Royal Marines held by Iran could be tried for violating international law, it was feared today. The 15 British sailors and Royal Marines held by Iran could be tried for violating international law, it was feared today. Iran's ambassador to Russia, Gholam-Reza Ansari, said Iran had launched a legal investigation of the British sailors. "They will be tried if there is enough evidence of guilt," Iran's state news agency IRNA reported on its website. Meanwhile, a deal to exchange captured Shropshire sailor Faye Turney and her Royal Navy colleagues for five Iranians held by US forces in Iraq has been ruled out. US officials have quashed reports that such a swop could be the key to ending the hostages' nightmare ordeal - which is now in its ninth day. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star
The 15 British sailors and Royal Marines held by Iran could be tried for violating international law, it was feared today.
Iran's ambassador to Russia, Gholam-Reza Ansari, said Iran had launched a legal investigation of the British sailors. "They will be tried if there is enough evidence of guilt," Iran's state news agency IRNA reported on its website.
Meanwhile, a deal to exchange captured Shropshire sailor Faye Turney and her Royal Navy colleagues for five Iranians held by US forces in Iraq has been ruled out.
US officials have quashed reports that such a swop could be the key to ending the hostages' nightmare ordeal - which is now in its ninth day.
Tehran is continuing to defy mounting international pressure to release the sailors, including 26-year-old mother-of-one Leading Seaman Turney, whose family are from Shrewsbury.
Britain denies Iran's claims that the UK crew was in its waters when seized on March 23.
US State department spokesman Sean McCormack today rejected reports that any deal might be made by the US, which is determined not to become directly involved in the crisis.
The European Union has now added its voice to demands that Iran releases the captured Royal Marines immediately. EU foreign ministers last night attempted to increase the pressure on Iran by demanding the sailors "immediate and unconditional" release.
After a meeting in Bremen, Germany, they made clear that further steps would be taken if Iran ignored the request.
This was seen as a threat that business links with Tehran could be suspended, even though key EU countries have major economic links with Iran.
The move followed a United Nations statement which stopped short of demands for the immediate release of the captives.
The increased diplomatic pressure followed the release of footage of sailor Nathan Thomas Summers and a third letter purportedly written by Mrs Turney.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said TV clips of the crew, including Mrs Turney, would "fool no-one" and insisted the crisis could only be resolved by their release.