Iran Releases Jailed Austrian Citizen After 2 Years

September 17, 2024

Nasser Atabati, the Chief Justice of West Azerbaijan province, announced that Weber was handed over to the Austrian ambassador following his release


Christian Weber, an Austrian citizen, has been released from prison in Iran's West Azerbaijan province after being jailed for around two years, according to local authorities.

Nasser Atabati, the Chief Justice of West Azerbaijan province, announced that Weber was handed over to the Austrian ambassador following his release.

Atabati said that Weber had been imprisoned "for committing crimes" in the province. However, specific details about the nature of these alleged crimes were not disclosed.

The Chief Justice indicated that the handover to the Austrian ambassador was to facilitate Weber's departure and transfer from Iran.

The Iranian state media has not reported additional information or context surrounding his imprisonment and subsequent release.

In 2022, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the arrest of one of its citizens in Iran.

At that time, they said that the arrest was unrelated to the nationwide protests that erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini.

Human rights groups have long criticized Iran for its criminal justice system's lack of due process, with foreigners and minorities often caught up in vague charges.

Western governments have repeatedly accused the Islamic Republic of taking dual and foreign nationals hostage for the sole purpose of using them in prisoner swaps or as a bargaining chip in international negotiations.

Many European countries have urged their nationals not to travel to Iran, warning that they face the risk of arbitrary arrest or unfair trial.