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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iran worker 'jailing' angers UK | Iran worker 'jailing' angers UK |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband has urged Iran to overturn a four-year jail sentence reportedly given to a British embassy employee. | |
| Hossein Rassam, 44, was arrested in June at the time of massive street protests over the country's disputed presidential election. | Hossein Rassam, 44, was arrested in June at the time of massive street protests over the country's disputed presidential election. |
| The Iranian, who worked as a political analyst at the embassy, was accused of spying and inciting unrest. | The Iranian, who worked as a political analyst at the embassy, was accused of spying and inciting unrest. |
| In a statement, Mr Miliband called the reported sentence "wholly unjustified". | In a statement, Mr Miliband called the reported sentence "wholly unjustified". |
| 'Unacceptable' action | 'Unacceptable' action |
| The foreign secretary said it represented "further harassment of embassy staff for going about their normal and legitimate duties". | The foreign secretary said it represented "further harassment of embassy staff for going about their normal and legitimate duties". |
| He added the British ambassador in Tehran had spoken to Iran's deputy foreign minister and that the Iranian ambassador in London had been called in to explain the decision. | He added the British ambassador in Tehran had spoken to Iran's deputy foreign minister and that the Iranian ambassador in London had been called in to explain the decision. |
| Mr Miliband said: "We understand the sentence can be appealed. I urge the authorities to conduct this quickly and overturn this harsh sentence." | Mr Miliband said: "We understand the sentence can be appealed. I urge the authorities to conduct this quickly and overturn this harsh sentence." |
| He added: "We are in close touch with EU and other international partners, who continue to show solidarity in the face of this unacceptable Iranian action. | He added: "We are in close touch with EU and other international partners, who continue to show solidarity in the face of this unacceptable Iranian action. |
| "This will be seen as an attack against the entire diplomatic community in Iran and important principles are at stake." | "This will be seen as an attack against the entire diplomatic community in Iran and important principles are at stake." |
| Nine British embassy employees were arrested but Rassam was the only one to be charged. | Nine British embassy employees were arrested but Rassam was the only one to be charged. |
| He was put on trial along with an employee of the French embassy and protesters angry at the results of the June elections. | He was put on trial along with an employee of the French embassy and protesters angry at the results of the June elections. |
| Tehran accused the UK of fomenting opposition demonstrations when President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was returned for a second term in office. | Tehran accused the UK of fomenting opposition demonstrations when President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was returned for a second term in office. |
| The British government has rejected the accusations. | The British government has rejected the accusations. |