Srikakulam: The elderly parents and the wife of a 34-year-old mariner from Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam, who has been detained in Iran since July last year for allegedly smuggling oil, have sought the help of local MP and Union minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Vizianagaram MP Kalisetti Appala Naidu to secure his release.
Pativada Venkata Rao - the captain of a Togo-flagged and UAE-managed tanker Betelgeuse, carrying 1,500 tonnes of marine gas oil from Iraq to Sharjah - was detained along with 12 other crew members on July 21, 2024, after Iran's IRGC intercepted the vessel about 60 nautical miles off Bushehr. However, except for Rao, all other crew members were released four months later.
Rao's wife, Swati, has claimed that her husband was falsely accused by the Iranian authorities. "Despite our repeated efforts to seek assistance from the ship's management, we have not been able to secure his release. We are deeply concerned for his safety and his well-being. Our baby girl hasn't even seen her father yet," Swati told TOI.
Swati, who married Rao in Aug 2023, was three months pregnant when he left Srikakulam in Jan last year. He boarded the ship in the third week of March. She gave birth to their daughter seven months ago. Iranian authorities have allowed Rao to speak to his family for only two minutes each day.
Rao's brother said that Iranian authorities imposed a $2 million fine on the ship - which had changed hands in June 2023 - on Aug 18, 2023.
"My brother received his salary until Sept 2024. We have appealed to K Rammohan Naidu to help ensure that my brother gets a fair chance at justice and eventual release," Rao's brother added.
Neither the previous ship management nor the new owner has responded to communications from Iranian authorities regarding the issue.
Pativada Venkata Rao - the captain of a Togo-flagged and UAE-managed tanker Betelgeuse, carrying 1,500 tonnes of marine gas oil from Iraq to Sharjah - was detained along with 12 other crew members on July 21, 2024, after Iran's IRGC intercepted the vessel about 60 nautical miles off Bushehr. However, except for Rao, all other crew members were released four months later.
Rao's wife, Swati, has claimed that her husband was falsely accused by the Iranian authorities. "Despite our repeated efforts to seek assistance from the ship's management, we have not been able to secure his release. We are deeply concerned for his safety and his well-being. Our baby girl hasn't even seen her father yet," Swati told TOI.
Swati, who married Rao in Aug 2023, was three months pregnant when he left Srikakulam in Jan last year. He boarded the ship in the third week of March. She gave birth to their daughter seven months ago. Iranian authorities have allowed Rao to speak to his family for only two minutes each day.
Rao's brother said that Iranian authorities imposed a $2 million fine on the ship - which had changed hands in June 2023 - on Aug 18, 2023.
"My brother received his salary until Sept 2024. We have appealed to K Rammohan Naidu to help ensure that my brother gets a fair chance at justice and eventual release," Rao's brother added.
Neither the previous ship management nor the new owner has responded to communications from Iranian authorities regarding the issue.
You may also like
Graham Thorpe's wife details how tragic cricket legend battled 'so hard' against depression
Attempts to 'create divisions' among Munambam residents 'diabolical': Orthodox Church head
'Evil may have its hour, but God will have his day': Zelenskyy's Easter message after accusing Russia of ceasefire violations
Ronnie O'Sullivan knows exactly what Kyren Wilson did wrong before World Championship loss
Bhutanese King visits Jogighopa terminal, logistics park in Assam
