Iranian envoy welcomes IRIB journalist’s release from Azeri prison

TEHRAN,Dec.29(MNA) - Iranian Ambassador to Baku Mohsen Pakaein has welcomed the release of three Iranian inmates as well as Anar Bayramli, a local reporter of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), from Azeri prison. On the orders of the Azeri president, 87 inmates were released Thursday, and “I was very glad to hear that three Iranian fellows and Anar Bayramli” were among them, Pakaein said. He added, “Bayramli is an honorable journalist, who has worked for years to promote the relationship between the brotherly countries of Iran and Azerbaijan.” He also thanked the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, for this humanitarian act. On February 17, Anar Bayramli was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on an alleged charge of drug possession, on which he says he “had been framed by the Azerbaijani police” and was actually arrested for his “journalistic activities.” Several international human rights organizations had questioned the charges against Bayramli. Amnesty International designated him a prisoner of conscience and had urged his immediate release.