Egypt’s Ambassador to Tunisia Nabil Habashy said that the embassy managed to reach an agreement with the Tunisian authorities to release 12 Egyptian fishermen who were detained in Sfax port last week, Youm7 reported Wednesday.
The fishermen will be deported to Cairo next week, Habashy said.
An Egyptian fishing boat, along with 16 fishermen on board were detained near the Sfax port on Friday on charges of trespassing Tunisia’s regional waters. They were arrested after ignoring warnings by the Tunisian coast guards, said Habashy.
He added that the embassy is increasing efforts in its negotiations with Tunisian authorities to release the other four fishermen, adding that they will be released later after investigations are over.
During the past few years, hundreds of Egyptian fishermen were detained over fishing without prior license near the coasts of Libya, Tunisia and Yemen.
