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Iran says all but one of arrested embassy staff freed
All but one of the British Embassy staff arrested in Tehran at the weekend have now been released, Iranian state media said yesterday.
The remaining Iranian national in custody was being held on suspicion of playing a prominent role in recent violence, according to the English language Press TV.
Nine employees of the British Embassy were arrested at the weekend amid rapidly deteriorating relations with Iran since the disputed re-election of president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Five of those were released by Monday morning, leaving four in custody.
Last night the Foreign Office confirmed that two more had been freed this week, but said it was awaiting confirmation that another was released yesterday.
The weekend arrests intensified the diplomatic row which has escalated between the UK and Iran in recent weeks. Britain has criticised Iran's crackdown on protesters and curbing of freedoms while the Tehran regime has accused the UK of stirring up the recent unrest.
It said the people arrested at the weekend had played a "considerable role" in that. It had previously expelled two British diplomats from Iran.
There was confusion about the number of releases earlier when Foreign Secretary David Miliband suggested two employees remained in custody, only to be contradicted by local reports.
The Foreign Office was unable to state definitively how many of the embassy staff were being held, describing the numbers as "fluid".
But it confirmed later that two staff had been set free and was seeking confirmation of a third release.
A spokeswoman said: "It remains our top priority to get all British Embassy staff released as soon as possible.
"We are continuing intensive discussions with the Iranian authorities and our international partners to resolve this issue."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown had earlier described the arrests as unjustified and unacceptable. "Some people in Iran are trying to seek to use Britain as an explanation for the legitimate Iranian voices calling for greater openness and democracy."
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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