Iran Confirms Detention Of Third U.S.-Iranian Citizen

(RFE/RL) June 10, 2007 -- Iran has confirmed the detention of a third U.S.-Iranian citizen on security-related charges.

The detention of California peace activist Ali Shakeri was widely suspected, as unsourced reports had suggested he was being held over possible accusations of security-related wrongdoing.


Shareki's detention was announced today by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini.


Two U.S.-Iranian scholars -- Haleh Esfandiari and Kian Tajbakhsh -- are also in jail, accused of spying.


A fourth U.S.-Iranian citizen, Radio Farda reporter Parnaz Azima, has been charged with "antirevolutionary" activities and is free on bail.


The U.S. State Department calls the charges "groundless."


(AFP)

Radio Farda's Parnaz Azima

Radio Farda's Parnaz Azima