News media reports on May 16, 2010 that French teacher Clotilde Reiss has been released from Iran, after being sentenced on May 15 to two 5 year sentences for participating in protests in the disputed national re-election and working against “national security.” The Daily Telegraph is reporting of beliefs in a “deal” between Iran and France, involving France’s decision not to extradite an Iranian engineer to the United States who had purchased military electronics from U.S. firms for Iran. An Iranian who was convicted of the murder of a former Iranian prime minister is scheduled to be paroled on May 18. Reuters has since reported that such “deal” claims are being denied by France. French President Sarkozy has thank Brazil, Senegal, and Syria for helping in Clotilde Reiss release. See also reports from AP, BBC, and the Guardian.
France's Clotilde Reiss has been held prisoner in Iran
Previous R.E.A.L. postings:
Iran: Court in Iran refuses to release French student Clotilde Reiss
Iran: French student Clotilde Reiss’ ‘confession’ at Iran court sparks outrage
Iran: France demands release of student Clotilde Reiss by Tehran