Freed Iranians return home from Iraq
Tehran, 2007 Nov 9, Press TV
Nine Iranians including two diplomats who had been abducted by American forces in Iraq, have returned home following their release.
The Al-Arabiya plane carrying the nine released hostages, who had been in US custody for 6 to 24 months, landed at Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, Friday.
"The Americans did not physically torture us but they repeatedly insulted us, made accusations and did not give us decent food," Mohsen Chegini, one of the diplomats said.
Hamid-Reza Asgari-Shokouh, another diplomat, termed the detention a mistake which has brought on discredit for the US.
"What the US did was a flagrant violation of international conventions as they kept us in solitary confinement."
Referring to other Iranian diplomats still remaining in the US custody, Asgari-Shokouh said they were in good physical conditions.
While there is still no news about the release of the three other diplomats kidnapped from the Iranian consulate in Arbil on January 11, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister promised to follow up the issue.
"Today, we are witnessing the return of two diplomats and seven pilgrims who were detained by US forces. The Foreign Ministry and our embassy in Baghdad will continue to push for the release of other Iranians still remaining in US custody," Seyyed Mohammad Ali Shahidi said.
There are still 11 more Iranian nations in the US captivity in Iraq, acknowledged by the US authorities.
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