Qatar Accuses UAE of Seizing Eight-Man Fishing Boat
DOHA (Reuters) – Qatar accused the United Arab Emirates on Friday of seizing a fishing boat and forcing its eight occupants to enter Emirati waters at gunpoint, the latest accusation in a nine-month row between the Persian Gulf neighbors.
The UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, imposed travel, diplomatic and trade sanctions on Qatar last June, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Qatar denies that charge and says the four adversaries aim to curtail its sovereignty.
Qatar’s permanent representative to the United Nations informed the UN Secretary General and Security Council President that its marine surveillance had observed a UAE naval ship obstruct and then commandeer the Qatari fishing boat on Jan. 19, a foreign ministry statement said.
"The incident constituted a kidnapping and is a dangerous precedent and a severe violation of international norms,” it added.
The UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, imposed travel, diplomatic and trade sanctions on Qatar last June, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Qatar denies that charge and says the four adversaries aim to curtail its sovereignty.
Qatar’s permanent representative to the United Nations informed the UN Secretary General and Security Council President that its marine surveillance had observed a UAE naval ship obstruct and then commandeer the Qatari fishing boat on Jan. 19, a foreign ministry statement said.
"The incident constituted a kidnapping and is a dangerous precedent and a severe violation of international norms,” it added.