Entered restricted zone to capture footage of IRIS Lavan in Kochi; journalist arrested

KOCHI: Three, including a journalist, were arrested for trying to capture footage of the Iranian ship IRIS Lavan, now docked at the South Naval Base in Kochi. The ship arrived in Kochi, fearing a possible attack by the United States. A Republic TV reporter, cameraman and the driver of the boat they were travelling in were arrested.

The media team was caught by CISF officials as they entered a restricted area and captured footage. The officials then took them into custody and handed them over to the police. The journalists' cameras have also been seized. They had rented a boat from Marine Drive to capture footage of the ship. The police said that all three will be produced in court.

The Iranian warship was granted asylum on Wednesday at the request of the Islamic Republic. Accommodation has been arranged for 183 sailors under the protection of the Indian Navy. IRIS Dena was torpedoed by the US Navy near Sri Lanka the other day. A Navy spokesperson said that Iran had requested asylum from India on February 28, fearing an attack possibility on IRIS Lavan, which was in the Indian Ocean region.

Special security has been arranged for the ship.