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‘Iran will soon free Lebanese man jailed for spying for US’

11 Jun 2019 08:03

Islam Times - Iranian media say Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese national serving a jail term in Iran for espionage for the United States, will be released soon following mediation efforts by President Michel Aoun of Lebanon.



Citing an informed source, the IRIB news agency reported on Monday that Zakka would be handed over to Lebanese officials within hours.

Zakka, an information technology expert and a permanent US resident, was detained in Iran in 2015 and sentenced in 2016 to 10 years in prison and a $4.2 million fine for “collaborating against the state.”

The source further said Zakka’s freedom was made possible through President Aoun’s request and mediation, adding that no negotiations have been held on the issue with any government or individual.

Meanwhile, Aoun told the online el-Nashra newspaper that he had intervened to prevent the prolongation of the case.

The Lebanese president said that he had "positive interactions" with his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, regarding the case.

Aoun also said he had tasked Abbas Ibrahim, the head of Lebanon’s General Directorate of General Security (GDGS), to personally follow up Zakka’s case.

Ibrahim, who is in Tehran to oversee Zakka’s release, told Reuters that he would return to Lebanon with Zakka.

“The release of Nizar Zakka will take place on Tuesday after the completion of the judicial proceedings, which are nearly over,” he added.

In a post on its official Twitter account, the GDGS shared two black and white images of Zakka shaking hands with Ibrahim after a meeting on Monday night.

It said Ibrahim would return with Zakka to Lebanon on Tuesday.


Story Code: 798900

News Link :
https://www.islamtimes.org/en/news/798900/iran-will-soon-free-lebanese-man-jailed-for-spying-us

Islam Times
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