phoenix80
Banned
Iran Bars French Academic From Leaving
Thursday April 5, 2007 1:31 AM
PARIS (AP) - France's Foreign Ministry called on Iran Wednesday to find a quick solution so that a French academic barred from leaving the country since late January can return home.
Stephane Dudoignon was arrested in the sensitive region of Sistan-Baluchestan in southeastern Iran on Jan. 30 after photographing a religious procession there, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Denis Simonneau said.
Iranian authorities immediately released Dudoignon but confiscated his personal items, including his passport, Simonneau said. Dudoignon - a historian specializing in Islam - has not been charged with any crime, he added.
Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said the case ``can in no way be compared to the capture of British marines.'' Iran seized 15 British marines and sailors in the Persian Gulf on March 23 and said Wednesday they would be released and fly home on Thursday.
``We are in contact with Iranian authorities to do what we can so that he can leave as soon as possible,'' Douste-Blazy told reporters.
Dudoignon, who is married to an Iranian woman, is living with his wife's family in the capital, Tehran, the French Le Monde daily reported Wednesday. He is not authorized to leave the city.
Dudoignon's case was discussed during a meeting last week between the Iranian ambassador and French Foreign Ministry officials.
``We call on Iranian authorities to quickly find a solution to allow Mr. Dudoignon to leave Iranian territory,'' Simonneau said in an online briefing on Wednesday.
In November, 2005, Iranian officials arrested another Frenchman and a German, reportedly for taking photos of ships in the Persian Gulf. Stephane Lherbier and Donald Klein were convicted in January 2006 and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Lherbier, the Frenchman, was released in February, and Klein was freed last month.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6533750,00.html
Thursday April 5, 2007 1:31 AM
PARIS (AP) - France's Foreign Ministry called on Iran Wednesday to find a quick solution so that a French academic barred from leaving the country since late January can return home.
Stephane Dudoignon was arrested in the sensitive region of Sistan-Baluchestan in southeastern Iran on Jan. 30 after photographing a religious procession there, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Denis Simonneau said.
Iranian authorities immediately released Dudoignon but confiscated his personal items, including his passport, Simonneau said. Dudoignon - a historian specializing in Islam - has not been charged with any crime, he added.
Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said the case ``can in no way be compared to the capture of British marines.'' Iran seized 15 British marines and sailors in the Persian Gulf on March 23 and said Wednesday they would be released and fly home on Thursday.
``We are in contact with Iranian authorities to do what we can so that he can leave as soon as possible,'' Douste-Blazy told reporters.
Dudoignon, who is married to an Iranian woman, is living with his wife's family in the capital, Tehran, the French Le Monde daily reported Wednesday. He is not authorized to leave the city.
Dudoignon's case was discussed during a meeting last week between the Iranian ambassador and French Foreign Ministry officials.
``We call on Iranian authorities to quickly find a solution to allow Mr. Dudoignon to leave Iranian territory,'' Simonneau said in an online briefing on Wednesday.
In November, 2005, Iranian officials arrested another Frenchman and a German, reportedly for taking photos of ships in the Persian Gulf. Stephane Lherbier and Donald Klein were convicted in January 2006 and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Lherbier, the Frenchman, was released in February, and Klein was freed last month.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6533750,00.html