According to the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad, kidnaped diplomat Fereydun Jahani has been released by his captors. He is currently at the Iranian embassy and appears to be in good health. Jahani, who had been appointed the council for the city of Karbala, was kidnaped as he drove to his new post last August. The Iranian embassy stressed that his release was unconditional. Jahani indicated that he has spoken at length to his captors and was able to convince then that Iran had no intention of interfering with their affairs. According to him, that was the reason for his release.



english.aljazeera.net
Iranian diplomat Fereydun Jahani, seized in Iraq last month, has been released, the Iranian embassy in Baghdad said, adding he was in good health but tired.

Jahani had been appointed as consul to the Shia holy city of Karbala but was captured en route on 4 August.

Abbas al-Attar the Iranian ambassador in Baghdad told Aljazeera: "Mr Fereydun Jahani has been freed and is safe in the Iranian embassy in Baghdad."

Unconditional

"His release was not conditional," Mr al-Attar said.

Relations between Baghdad and Tehran soured after Iraq's Defence Minister Hazim al-Shalaan accused Iran of sending spies and arms across the border to foment unrest among the Shia majority.

"Through talks with my captors, they were convinced it was not Iran's intention to interfere in their state matters ... therefore they released me," Jahani was quoted as saying by Iran's state television who spoke to him in Baghdad on Monday.




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It is unclear which group had held Jahani. Reports have credited the Islamic Army which is also believed to be holding the 2 kidnaped French journalists. Iranian state televison said that it was not known who was responsible. The release comes after a wave of kidnaping and the execution of two Americans in recent weeks. The fate of the Briton, the French journalist, and two Italian women, along with Iraqi and Lebanese prisoners is unknown at this time.


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