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Iran urges speedy release of remaining Iranians

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Nov 9, IRNA
Iran-FM-Prisoners
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini here Friday welcomed release of nine Iranians and stressed expediting freedom of the rest of Iranians, who are now in the US captivity in Iraq.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has set on its agenda speedy release of the remaining Iranian consulate staff and other Iranians through Iraqi officials and international communities and recommends the US officials to free the remaining Iranians without any hesitation, while respecting all principles and terms of the consular and human rights conventions," said Hosseini in reaction to release and hand over to Iranian officials of nine out of 20 Iranians who had been detained by the US troops recently.

Hosseini said the Islamic Republic of Iran's officials had times and again stressed innocence and unjustified and inexcusable arrest of officials of Iranian consulate office in Arbil, calling for their speedy and unconditional release.

"Now, after lapse of several months since the illegal action, the US military spokesman in Iraq has acknowledged to innocence of them and to the fact that they had not had a role in Iraq unrest, announcing the US government's decision for their release," he noted.

He concluded that release of two Iranian consulate officers points to the fact that in dealing with Iraq problems, Americans should set aside unilateralism and take interests of Iraqi nation and government as the yardstick and priority of their strategies.

Nine Iranians, jailed by the US forces in Iraq, were delivered to Iranian officials by Iraqis on Friday morning in order to be transferred to their homeland after release.

The nine Iranians, including two diplomats who had been arrested in northern Iraqi city of Arbil recently, were delivered to the Iranian officials by Iraqis early Friday based on an earlier agreement.

Officials of Iranian Embassy in Baghdad met and received the group.

There are still 11 more Iranian nations in the US captivity in Iraq, acknowledged by the US authorities.

A reliable source in Iran's Embassy in Baghdad confirmed release and delivery of the Iranians to Iranian officials Friday morning and said the people are now in Baghdad international airport in order to be flown to Iran.

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