A British photographer and journalist who was arrested and held in Tehran while on a freelance assignment for the Washington Times has been released.
In a news editorial last night, the US-based newspaper said Iranian authorities had freed the freelance, Iason Athanasiadis-Fowden, after more than two weeks in custody.
Mr Fowden, who holds a Greek-British passport, was apprehended on June 17 as he tried to leave Iran in the aftermath of the country’s disputed presidential elections.
Greek officials, who led efforts to release the reporter, confirmed he had been freed on Sunday and said he would “depart Tehran within the day,” the Associated Press reported.
Meanwhile, Iranian-state television revealed that no charges were filed against Mr Fowden, but claimed he was arrested for “unprofessional” behaviour after apparently encouraging protests.
Hundreds of journalists, bloggers and political activists have been arrested in Iran in recent weeks, since the state ordered a crackdown on those disputing the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Jul 6, 2009
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