Iran Pardons, Releases French Tourist (AP)

Iran Pardons, Releases French Tourist


Sunday February 25, 2007 8:01 PM

PARIS (AP) - Iran has pardoned and released a French tourist convicted of taking
photos of ships in the Persian Gulf, the French Foreign Ministry said Sunday.

Stephane Lherbier, arrested along with a German national in November 2005, was
released Sunday and handed over to the French Embassy in Tehran, Foreign
Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said in a statement.

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The two were arrested after straying into Iran's territorial waters during a sailing
trip off the coast of neighboring United Arab Emirates. Iran's Foreign Ministry
confirmed in January 2006 that they were tried and convicted, but gave no other
details of their case.

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