Negotiations aimed at freeing eight Slovaks detained by Iranian authorities three months ago on suspicion of spying have progressed, according to the SME daily. It quotes a spokesperson for the Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry saying there is room for “restrained optimism“.
The eight paragliders went to Iran in May to make a documentary film. They were arrested by the Iranian authorities after they were allegedly spotted taking pictures of nuclear facilities from the air. The Slovak consul has been allowed to meet the detainees only once at the prison complex in Isfahan in June. Since that meeting the consul has been only able to talk to the detainees a limited number of times via telephone.
Anca Dragu
