Sailors told they faced jail in Iran

By Luke MacGregor

CHIVENOR (Reuters) - The 15 British sailors and marines seized by Iran in the Gulf last month said on Friday they were blindfolded, bound, kept in isolation and warned that they faced up to seven years in jail.

"Throughout our ordeal, we faced constant psychological pressure," they said in a joint statement at a news conference.

Iran said they were detained for entering its waters illegally but Britain said they were in Iraqi waters.

"We were interrogated most nights and given two options. If we admitted that we had strayed, we would be back on a plane to the UK pretty soon. If we didn't, we faced up to seven years in prison," the statement said.

Iran said Friday's news conference was "theatrical propaganda" to cover up their illegal entry into its waters.

Before being freed, Iranian TV showed some of the 15 saying they had entered Iranian territory and had been well treated.

But on Friday the 15 said they heard weapons being cocked behind them after their capture and feared the worst.

The sole woman, Faye Turney, was kept isolated for several days and told by her captors that the others had been sent home.