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Iranian State Television Broadcasts Video of Two Captured British Soldiers


An Iranian state television channel has broadcast footage of what it said are two of the 15 British naval personnel detained in Iran.

Government-run Al-Alam television Sunday showed the two men pointing to a map of the Persian Gulf while looking at a camera and speaking.

Both of the men, identified by name and wearing military uniforms, said in the broadcast that the 15 Britons had intruded into Iranian waters. One of the men, Captain Chris Air, was shown pointing to a spot on the map where he said the 15 were captured at 10 a.m. local time on March 23 in Iranian territory.

Air said the 15 detainees, a group that includes one woman, have been treated well.

Britain's Foreign Office responded by saying it is "unacceptable" for the footage to be shown.

Iran says the 15 British personnel were in Iranian waters when they were captured more than a week ago on March 23. Britain says they were in Iraqi waters.

British Defense Secretary Des Browne said London is in direct bilateral communication with Iran to win the release of the 15 Britons.

On Sunday, about 200 Iranian students staged a violent protest outside the British Embassy in Tehran over the 15 Britons' alleged violation of Iranian waters. The students threw rocks and firecrackers at the building. There were no reports of injuries.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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