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Iran 'to free UK embassy worker' Iran 'to free UK embassy worker'
(9 minutes later)
The eighth of nine British embassy employees detained by Iranian authorities is to be released later, the UK foreign secretary has said.The eighth of nine British embassy employees detained by Iranian authorities is to be released later, the UK foreign secretary has said.
David Miliband told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme that "all of our efforts are now directed" at securing the release of the final worker being held. David Miliband said "all of our efforts are now directed" at securing the release of the man still being held - the embassy's chief political analyst.
But the lawyer for the man says he has been charged with acting against national security and is facing trial. But the lawyer for the Iranian says he has been charged with acting against national security and is facing trial.
Iran has accused Britain of fomenting discontent to undermine its regime.Iran has accused Britain of fomenting discontent to undermine its regime.
Mr Miliband said he had learned the "good news" of the eighth release during his daily telephone conversation with Britain's ambassador to Iran.Mr Miliband said he had learned the "good news" of the eighth release during his daily telephone conversation with Britain's ambassador to Iran.
"He was told by the deputy foreign minister that the eighth person would indeed be released today, that the papers had been signed, that there would not be a court process or charges," Mr Miliband said. "[The ambassador] was told by the deputy foreign minister that the eighth person would indeed be released today, that the papers had been signed, that there would not be a court process or charges," Mr Miliband said.
"That leaves one more in custody and all of our efforts are now directed towards getting that person out.""That leaves one more in custody and all of our efforts are now directed towards getting that person out."
Inevitably they will be put on trial. They have made confessions too Ahmad Jannati, leader of the Iran's Guardian Council
On Saturday, the man's lawyer Abdolsamad Khorramshahi said he had been unable to meet him in Evin prison in Tehran where he is being held, or see the text of the indictment.
Mr Miliband said the man was "an honourable, patriotic Iranian, who has been working in a completely open and transparent way for the UK".
"The allegations of improper conduct have absolutely no basis," he said.
"I think it is very, very important that we send a clear message that we are confident about the way he has been doing his job [and] that we are clear about our goal, which is his release, unharmed."
Foreign powersForeign powers
Protests gripped Tehran and other Iranian cities after June's presidential election, amid claims the vote had been rigged in favour of the incumbent, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.Protests gripped Tehran and other Iranian cities after June's presidential election, amid claims the vote had been rigged in favour of the incumbent, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Tehran has repeatedly accused foreign powers - especially Britain and the US - of stoking unrest after the election - somethig they deny. Tehran has repeatedly accused foreign powers, especially Britain and the US, of stoking unrest after the election - something they deny.
The embassy workers were arrested last weekend amid accusations they had been involved in the demonstrations. The embassy workers, who are all Iranian, were arrested last weekend amid accusations they had been involved in the demonstrations.
"In these incidents, their embassy had a presence, some people were arrested," senior Iranian cleric Ahmad Jannati reportedly told the thousands of worshippers at Friday prayers. It is very important that my cold anger... doesn't turn into a rhetorical volley at the Iranian regime Foreign Secretary David Miliband
On Friday, Ahmad Jannati, leader of the Iran's supreme legislative body the Guardian Council, said: "The British Embassy had a presence and some people were arrested.
"Well, inevitably they will be put on trial. They have made confessions too."
Mr Miliband said he was angry, but would try not to inflame the already sensitive situation further.
"It is very important that my anger, my cold anger, about the way our staff have been treated... doesn't turn into a rhetorical volley at the Iranian regime, because that doesn't do anything either for our people or for reform in Iran," he said.
"What's important is that I turn my anger into determination to see that justice is done by our people."