Released HMS Cornwall Crew: Iran blindfolded, bound and threatened with prison to get statements

Five of the fifteen British sailors and marines released by Iran at a news conference today. From left, Royal Marine Joe Tindell, 21, Arthur Batchelor, 20, Royal Marine Capt. Chris Air, 25, Lt. Felix Carman and Royal Marine Adam Sperry, 22.

ROYAL MARINE BASE CHIVENOR, England (AP) - British sailors and marines held for nearly two weeks in Iran were blindfolded, bound and threatened with prison if they did not say they had strayed into Iranian waters, a Royal Navy lieutenant who was among the capitives said Friday.

Lt. Felix Carman, safely home with his 14 colleagues, said the crew faced harsh interrogation by their Iranian captors and slept in stone cells on piles of blankets. Unable to see and kept isolated, they heard weapons cocking.

"We were blindfolded, our hands were bound and we were forced up against a wall. Throughout our ordeal we faced constant psychological pressure," Carman said. "All of us were kept in isolation. We were interrogated most nights and presented with two options. If we admitted that we'd strayed, we'd be on a plane to (Britain) pretty soon. If we didn't, we faced up to seven years in prison."

Read the rest at the Guardian

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