Civilian clothes.

[geo0939]

Why were the Iranian prisoners freed on television wearing civilian clothes. They are serving members of HM Forces and were captured wearing uniforms. As far as we could see there were no scuffles during their capture, so they should be returned in uniform. I think this makes them appear to have been treated as spies. which they certainly were not.
Also, does the Geneva Convention (name, rank and serial number) not apply in this case since we are not at war with Iran?
I would appreciate any opinions.

[Gromit]

Maybe so they can continue their Television Careers when they return home, perhaps?

[johnlambert]

They would have been wearing those uniforms for days and they would be absolutly honking!!!!! would you want to be next to someone who hasn't changed their underwear for 2 weeks, no? neither would the Iranians, and it gives them the opportunity to show the world how well they look after detainees
Geneva convention would apply in this case, you dont have to be at war for the "big 4", (number, rank, name, dob)

[geo0939]

I'm sure that ,somewhere in Iran, there are facilities for laundering clothes, especially considering how wonderful the Iranian people are (according to the prisoners).

[saxy_jag]

It could be that they're officially off duty and so there's no requirement for them to wear uniform.

Also, if any dubious parties still want to take a pop at them, they'll be less recognisable amongst the press and all the other people milling around.

[geo0939]

I'm afraid, in the forces, even though you're captured, you are still on duty.

[mike1222]

Perhaps they were a disgrace to their uniforms!!

[Grunty]

They had no status in Iran as members of the armed forces. We would do the same thing here. Members of a foreign army would be in uniform if they were in the country for an official reason and with our consent. If a police officer or a soldier was arrested in this country, he would be told to get out of his uniform because he would then be a prisoner.

[geo0939]

Fair enough Grunty, but how doe's this square with the fact that every time, during the 13 days, that they were shown on TV they WERE in uniform? Only when they were being released were they made to wear those civilian suits. Going by appearances, I don't think they were waiting for a fitting
Too many blurred edges here, hostages or prisoners?

[johnlambert]

That's because the Iranian public and the world at large could see that the Iranians had captured military personel from a potential enemy country, if they were shown in civilian clothing it woyuld have looked like the Iranians had caught a bunch of holiday makers. It's all clever propaganda geo939

[jump79]

I agree, the way they were dressed they looked like they worked anywhere but for HM forces .... stylish attire never goes out of fashion.