Australian travel bloggers detained in Iran possibly due to flying drone without permit

[RayOZ]

'Hey you guys we are getting worried': Followers raised concerns about Australian travel bloggers held in Iran

The Australian travel bloggers detained in Iran are named as Perth couple Mark Firkin and Jolie King.

www.abc.net.au

 

[The Editor]

So the law in Iran is failure to acquire a permit results in 6 months jail and immediate deportation thereafter.

This is no secret and the rules and/or laws are clearly available on the internet.

If these two YouTube warriors decided to fly anyway, then perhaps 6 months detention will make them more appreciative of abiding by other countries laws.

Sorry - but I have no sympathy. I would never travel to a foreign country with a UAV, let alone put it airborne without thoroughly researching that countries laws and rules first!

 

[DesertDan]

So the law in Iran is failure to acquire a permit results in 6 months jail and immediate deportation thereafter.

They haven't been charged yet, so may be alot longer than 6 months.

 

[WithTheBirds]

So the law in Iran is failure to acquire a permit results in 6 months jail and immediate deportation thereafter.

This is no secret and the rules and/or laws are clearly available on the internet.

If these two YouTube warriors decided to fly anyway, then perhaps 6 months detention will make them more appreciative of abiding by other countries laws.

Sorry - but I have no sympathy. I would never travel to a foreign country with a UAV, let alone put it airborne without thoroughly researching that countries laws and rules first!

It would seem sympathy isn't all you might not have. It appears you also lack understanding of what seems likleyto be scenario here. It is unlikely to be a simple issue of flying a drone without a permit.

It is well known that the authorities in Iran are particularly suspicious of any foreigner suspected of producing films, interviewing people or taking pictures (not just with drones) of what might be considered sensitive areas. It is the view of experts that the regime in Iran is even more suspicious of foreign interest in recent times.

As to being held for 6 months and deported lets hope they aren't held that long however the reality is you can be held indefinitely without charge.

 

[DesertDan]

They'll probably be sentenced to a lengthy term then used as bargaining chips for a prisoner swap.

 

[The Editor]

It would seem sympathy isn't all you might not have. It appears you also lack understanding of what seems likleyto be scenario here. It is unlikely to be a simple issue of flying a drone without a permit.

It is well known that the authorities in Iran are particularly suspicious of any foreigner suspected of producing films, interviewing people or taking pictures (not just with drones) of what might be considered sensitive areas. It is the view of experts that the regime in Iran is even more suspicious of foreign interest in recent times.

As to being held for 6 months and deported lets hope they aren't held that long however the reality is you can be held indefinitely without charge.

Speculation on your part since news is untrustworthy and after sensationalism.

 

[WithTheBirds]

Speculation on your part since news is untrustworthy and after sensationalism.

And what is it on your part?

 

[The Editor]

And what is it on your part?

Cold hard facts from Dan Conifer.

 

[WithTheBirds]

Cold hard facts from Dan Conifer.

What’s he? A journalist? I know who he is and he seems pretty good. He is the news though is he not? Guess it’s enough for you to have an opinion on what you think these people deserve .

 

[offtheback]

What’s he? A journalist? I know who he is and he seems pretty good. He is the news though is he not? Guess it’s enough for you to have an opinion on what you think these people deserve .

If I were in charge,I'd charge them with a crime,hold them for a week and then release them as a mercy gesture.Looks good in the court of public opinion and serves the purpose of not having to deal with other idiots that fly without checking the rules.Everybody wins(mostly)

 

[RayOZ]

I thought it’s something we should be aware of. They might have thought they were traveling in the middle of no where. So they didn’t expect to be caught. The same scenario can happen to anyone, like traveling in our own country in the middle of nowhere, comes across a nice scenery and thought of taking some photos and not expecting anyone else around. Some countries don’t allow you to fly in national parks, and some might be tempted to do so if they were up early in the morning and no one’s around. Obviously, the risk is getting a fine, no one really expected to end up in jail without a trail.
Besides, they might just be passing through Iran for a couple of days until they reach the next country. They probably thought they didn’t want to go through the hassle of spending few weeks and pay a couple of hundred bucks for a permit, not knowing if they would even have the chance to fly their drone.
At the moment, no one really knows what happened.

 

[IShouldBeWorking]

That's rough. I hope they get out okay. Iran is right up there with Venezuela and North Korea on my list of places to visit.

 

[gnirtS]

Nothing political about this.
They broke the law. Simple as that.

I can think of several countries that'll jail you for importing a drone yet alone using one.

Not to mention they must have been pathologically stupid to even think flying a drone there was a good idea given the current tensions.

Hopefully they'll get 6 months to think it through and everyone else can learn off these.

 

[WithTheBirds]

If I were in charge,I'd charge them with a crime,hold them for a week and then release them as a mercy gesture.Looks good in the court of public opinion and serves the purpose of not having to deal with other idiots that fly without checking the rules.Everybody wins(mostly)

If I were in charge,I'd charge them with a crime,hold them for a week and then release them as a mercy gesture.Looks good in the court of public opinion and serves the purpose of not having to deal with other idiots that fly without checking the rules.Everybody wins(mostly)

On that basis you would have allowed them to continue on their way 9 weeks ago. You can be close to certain the breaching of drone regulations has little to do with why these people are being detained. Wrong place wrong time. There is a reason why the travel advisories for the country are to reconsider the need to travel or don't travel (depending on region).

 

[gnirtS]

There needs to be an excuse to arrest them in the first place and it looks like these idiots provided it.

If you visit anywhere, be aware of local laws before going and *follow them*. Thats even more important in places that are (i) basically under attack (ii) extremely paranoid and (iii) looking for an excuse.

 

[WithTheBirds]

There needs to be an excuse to arrest them in the first place and it looks like these idiots provided it.

If you visit anywhere, be aware of local laws before going and *follow them*. Thats even more important in places that are (i) basically under attack (ii) extremely paranoid and (iii) looking for an excuse.

It is probably fair to say most would probably not travel to an area where the Government in their own country is advising us to reconsider any plans to travel and to not visit particular areas if we do. Assuming you went anyway you might be very reluctant to fly a drone- probably even to take photographs. Might the predicament they are in be reasonably foreseeable? I would think probably. Is it fair to say they are idiots? I don’t think that helps anyone.

 

[Chip]

I remember someone posted a drone video taken in Iran last year. He said it was completely safe and took some gorgeous shots. I remember thinking there must be some risk. Someone should find and link that video.

 

[gnirtS]

I end up in a lot of places the government recommends not going to. The important thing is you understand their reasoning based on why.
Is it due to the risk of kidnap? Is it because ultimately the government is unstable or untrustworthy and so on?
Make your decision based on that (and remember you're not insured).

Iran is a fairly easy one to know why and im having a hard time believing these people didnt do basic research.

You need a permit - so obtain one. Also note just because you have one doesnt mean some other official might decide he wants publicity or "tea money" anyway regardless. Some places are just too risky.

Another issue is you have no idea whats around you land wise. Take Iran for example, its under siege and constant open threats of being attacked. It also has issues with official facilities being sabotaged or blown up by likely exterior forces. So it disperses and hides them. It puts them in the middle of nowhere.

So that nice empty patch of sand and mountain you think is harmless scenery could be a sensitive area and you'd never know - thats the whole point.

Even in first world countries you have to be aware of this and attempt to find out any restrictions from official sources. Its utterly foolhardy not doing this in countries like Iran and so on.

Someone put up some videos last year from Iran - its an amazing place. He might have had a permit. He might not. He may have unofficially spoken to a local police officer who said OK, or maybe not. But ultimately countries are big places - often you'll fly and theres nobody around to observe or report but you cant rely on that as if you lose the gamble, the punishments are severe.
Even more so when currently you KNOW the country is looking for an excuse to arrest someone from a specific country to use as political capital.

These people were stupid and most likely hoped they'd get away with what they'd gotten away with elsewhere.

I operate a drone in Myanmar where technically you cant bring them in or fly them. Im aware of the rules but as i enter via sea and have to pick up a government "ranger " (ie minder) to escort us 24/7 i just ask him prior to use and have not yet had him say no or have an issue with it. I wouldnt chance a flight WITHOUT local officials saying yes though.

 

[Hollywud]

I end up in a lot of places the government recommends not going to. The important thing is you understand their reasoning based on why.
Is it due to the risk of kidnap? Is it because ultimately the government is unstable or untrustworthy and so on?
Make your decision based on that (and remember you're not insured).

Iran is a fairly easy one to know why and im having a hard time believing these people didnt do basic research.

You need a permit - so obtain one. Also note just because you have one doesnt mean some other official might decide he wants publicity or "tea money" anyway regardless. Some places are just too risky.

Another issue is you have no idea whats around you land wise. Take Iran for example, its under siege and constant open threats of being attacked. It also has issues with official facilities being sabotaged or blown up by likely exterior forces. So it disperses and hides them. It puts them in the middle of nowhere.

So that nice empty patch of sand and mountain you think is harmless scenery could be a sensitive area and you'd never know - thats the whole point.

Even in first world countries you have to be aware of this and attempt to find out any restrictions from official sources. Its utterly foolhardy not doing this in countries like Iran and so on.

Someone put up some videos last year from Iran - its an amazing place. He might have had a permit. He might not. He may have unofficially spoken to a local police officer who said OK, or maybe not. But ultimately countries are big places - often you'll fly and theres nobody around to observe or report but you cant rely on that as if you lose the gamble, the punishments are severe.
Even more so when currently you KNOW the country is looking for an excuse to arrest someone from a specific country to use as political capital.

These people were stupid and most likely hoped they'd get away with what they'd gotten away with elsewhere.

I operate a drone in Myanmar where technically you cant bring them in or fly them. Im aware of the rules but as i enter via sea and have to pick up a government "ranger " (ie minder) to escort us 24/7 i just ask him prior to use and have not yet had him say no or have an issue with it. I wouldnt chance a flight WITHOUT local officials saying yes though.

I guess with places like Iran, who accuse outsiders with everything from illegal entry to spying, why would you even chance going there? And taking pictures in a country that is very sensitive to pictures being taken, especially drone pictures, seems foolish. Maybe I don't have all the info, but I would just avoid anyplace like Iran.

 

[Huckleberry]

With the world stage as it is today, why the heck would any tourist even attempt to fly in Iran?