Iran frees British embassy staffer on bail

August 9th, 2009 TEHRAN - Britain's troubled relations with Iran suffered a further setback as a British embassy official confessed to spying during a trial in Tehran, saying that Britain had provided financial assistance to Iran's reformists to weaken the hardline clerical regime during the disputed presidential elections in June this year. Hossein Rassam, a political analyst with the embassy, said the embassy had allocated a budget of 300,000 pounds to set up links with political groups, individuals and activists.

August 9th, 2009 LONDON - Troubled relations between Britain and Iran have been further aggravated by the inclusion of a British embassy official at a mass trial in Tehran. The British Foreign Office has said it was "outraged" that Hossein Rassam, a political analyst with the embassy, was on trial.

August 8th, 2009 UK says its embassy staffer on trial in TehranLONDON —Britain's Foreign Office says a staff member at its embassy in Iran has been put on trial in Tehran. The ministry says it saw Hossein Rassam pictured among those accused at a mass trial that began Saturday in the Iranian capital, though Rassam had been released from detention in July.

July 20th, 2009 LONDON - Iran has released the last British Embassy official, who was held three weeks ago on the alleged charges of being behind last month's post-election violence in the country. Hossein Rassam, an Iranian national, worked at the Embassy as an expert on Iranian politics.

July 6th, 2009 LONDON - One of the last two British Embassy employees, held in Iran on the alleged charges of being behind last month's post-election violence in the country, has been released. The British Foreign Office on Monday confirmed the news, but added that embassy's chief political analyst Hossein Rassam is still under detention.

July 5th, 2009 TEHRAN - Iran is set to use a travel advisory posted on the British Foreign Office's website as evidence against a British Embassy employee in the political plot trial. British embassy's chief political analyst Hossein Rassam, 44, was accused of being a British agent provocateur behind last month's post-election street protests, the Telegraph reports.

July 4th, 2009 British embassy employee in Iran chargedTEHRAN — The lawyer for a detained Iranian employee of the British embassy in Tehran says his client has been charged with "acting against national security." Lawyer Abdolsamad Khorramshi says his client is being held in Evin prison and will in all likelihood stand trial soon. The lawyer on Saturday identified his client as Hossein Rassam, the embassy's chief political analyst, and said he had not yet been able to meet with him or see the text of the indictment.

July 4th, 2009 TEHRAN - An Iranian lawyer has said that he is seeking the permission of the concerned authorities here to see a detained British embassy staffer who has been accused of "acting against national security". "I have not met with him yet, but I will ask the judiciary for an appointment," The Telegraph quoted lawyer Abolsamad Khorramshahi, as saying.

June 29th, 2009 TEHRAN - Iran is not planning to downgrade diplomatic ties with Britain or any European country, foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said Monday. Police arrested eight Iranian staff members of the British embassy in Tehran Sunday, a move condemned by British Foreign Minister David Miliband.

June 28th, 2009 UK calls embassy detentions in Iran 'unacceptable'CORFU, Greece — Britain's foreign secretary categorically denied Sunday that his country had helped foment postelection discontent in Iran. David Miliband, who is on the Greek island of Corfu for a meeting of foreign ministers' from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, condemned the detention of British Embassy employees in Iran, which he said occurred Saturday.

June 28th, 2009 TEHRAN - Iran has arrested eight local staff members of the British embassy in Tehran for alleged involvement in demonstrations over the June 12 presidential election, Fars news agency reported Sunday. Iran accuses Western agents of inciting unrest and interfering in internal political matters.

June 23rd, 2009 LONDON - Britain would expel two Iranian diplomats after the Iranian government ordered two British diplomats to leave the country, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Tuesday. Brown told parliament that the allegations made against the two British diplomats were "absolutely without foundation".

May 6th, 2009 Judge frees Zimbabwean rights activistHARARE, Zimbabwe — A judge has ordered Zimbabwean rights activist Jestina Mukoko and 14 others freed on bail, reversing her decision of a day earlier that sparked outrage among rights activists and politicians in this country and abroad. Harare Magistrate Catherine Chimanda gave no reason for her retreat, issued at a hastily called court hearing Wednesday.

May 4th, 2009 Russian ship frees Iranians seized with piratesMOSCOW — Iran's embassy in Moscow says a Russian warship has freed eight Iranians who were seized along with suspected Somali pirates last week. The embassy says the Iranians had been held captive by the pirates for almost three months, and has praised the Russian Navy for the rescue.

April 24th, 2009 Thai court frees 3 top protest leaders on bailBANGKOK — A Thai court has freed on bail three top leaders of an anti-government movement accused of instigating violence during recent political protests. Bangkok Criminal Court granted their release on condition that do not leave the country, instigate violence or interfere with ongoing investigations and court cases.