Miliband calls for release of embassy worker
Foreign secretary urges Iranian authorities to release British embassy worker
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Thursday, 29, Oct 2009 10:04
By inthenews.co.uk staff..
The foreign secretary David Miliband has urged the Iranian authorities to overturn a jail sentence given to a British embassy worker.
Houssein Raddam, 44, has been given a four-year jail sentence after being arrested at street protests in June, a decision Mr Miliband described as "wholly unjustified".
Mr Raddam, an Iranian, worked at the British embassy as its chief political analyst. He has been accused of spying and causing unrest at the protests, which were held following the country's disputed elections.
"Such a decision is wholly unjustified and represents further harassment of embassy staff for going about their normal and legitimate duties," Mr Miliband said.
"We understand the sentence can be appealed. I urge the authorities to conduct this quickly and overturn this harsh sentence."
The foreign secretary also said the British ambassador to Tehran had spoken to the deputy foreign minister in the country, and the Iranian ambassador in the UK would be asked to explain his government's decision.
Altogether nine British embassy employees were arrested following the protests, but the other eight have been released.