Canada said Saturday it was awaiting confirmation on an Iranian report that Tehran had freed Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari, who was arrested during post-election protests in June.
"We are aware of the news indicating that Mr Bahari has been freed. We will provide you more information once his release has been confirmed," Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon told AFP in an email.
"As you know, our government has urged that he be freed ever since his arrest. I have also personally insisted for his release in talks with the Iranian foreign minister."
The semi-official Iranian news agency ILNA reported that Bahari had been freed from the notorious Evin prison after paying bail worth three billion rials (300,000 dollars), citing Tehran's prosecution office.
The report said Bahari was arrested and charged with propagating against the regime by sending false election reports, disrupting public order by participating in illegal gatherings, and holding classified documents.
The Iranian-born Canadian journalist with Newsweek magazine has lived in Iran for 10 years. Iran does not recognize his Canadian citizenship.
Source: AFP American Edition
