Two Keralites detained in Iraq

Two keralites were detained in Iraq for staying in the country sans proper documents

Two Keralites were detained in Iraq after they were allegedly found without proper documents by Iraqi authorities, their family members living in their native places in Kerala said.

HT Image

Ashraf of Kakkazham in Alappuzha district and Francis from Mala in Thrissur district, were working as truck crew in a Kuwait-based transport company.

As per the information received by their families, the duo was taken captive by a rebel group after their truck was intercepted on Kuwait-Iraq border earlier this month. However, they escaped a few days later and surrendered before the Iraqi police, who detained them for staying in the country without proper documents.

Ashraf called up his brother on a mobile phone of a prison employee to inform him of their detention, the family members said.

Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan urged the Centre to immediately intervene to secure the release of the two Indians. Balakrishnan sent messages to Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister in this regard, an official spokesman here said.