TEHRAN (Reuters) -- A semi-official Iranian news agency has said one of three local British Embassy staff still in detention had had a "remarkable role" in last month's postelection unrest in the Islamic republic.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said on June 30 that five of the detained Iranian staff at the British Embassy in Tehran had been freed while four were still being held for questioning. The Fars report suggested that one more person had been freed.
"Among the three detained British Embassy staff there was one who...had a remarkable role during the recent unrest in managing it behind the scenes," Fars said, without giving a source.
It said another embassy employee had been a "main element behind the riots" but that she had been freed because she enjoyed diplomatic immunity.
The same news agency first revealed the detentions of the British Embassy staff on June 28, saying they were accused of stirring unrest after Iran's disputed June 12 election, which moderate opponents of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad say was rigged in his favor.
On June 30, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said London was pressing Iran's Foreign Ministry to help secure the release of the local employees of the British Embassy.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said on June 30 that five of the detained Iranian staff at the British Embassy in Tehran had been freed while four were still being held for questioning. The Fars report suggested that one more person had been freed.
"Among the three detained British Embassy staff there was one who...had a remarkable role during the recent unrest in managing it behind the scenes," Fars said, without giving a source.
It said another embassy employee had been a "main element behind the riots" but that she had been freed because she enjoyed diplomatic immunity.
The same news agency first revealed the detentions of the British Embassy staff on June 28, saying they were accused of stirring unrest after Iran's disputed June 12 election, which moderate opponents of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad say was rigged in his favor.
On June 30, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said London was pressing Iran's Foreign Ministry to help secure the release of the local employees of the British Embassy.