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Iran to release one of three US nationals
[Iran Press] Coinciding with Eid al-Fitr, Tehran will release one of the three Americans detained in the southwestern Iran over illegally entering the country."Given that Eid al-Fitr is upon us, it was decided that this lady (Sarah Emily Shourd) be released soon to rejoin with her family," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told Press TV early on Friday. The spokesman added that the decision to release Shourd came after Iranian officials, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, closely studied the case. He did not give further details as to when and where the American national will be released, saying that "discussions are still ongoing regarding the details and the date of her release." Mehmanparast cited "Islamic compassion" and the Iranian government's "special regard for women" as two of the reasons behind her release. Sarah Emily Shourd, 31, Shane Michael Bauer and Joshua Felix Fattal both 27, were arrested on Iranian soil in July 2009 after illegally crossing the border from the Kurdish mountains of northern Iraq. They were later charged with espionage after Tehran Prosecutor Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi found "compelling evidence" that the three US citizens had been cooperating with US intelligence agencies. In late August the Iranian Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi announced that the investigation into the case of these three individuals was close to completion and that Tehran would announce the results when it is completed. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of the lunar month of Shawwal, when Muslims gather to perform the Eid prayer and bring 30 days of fasting in Ramadan to an end. Posted by: Fred 2010-09-10 |
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