Iran Pardons, Releases Jailed Swedes

(RFE/RL) April 16, 2007 -- Iran has pardoned two Swedish nationals jailed for photographing military installations last year and will release them today.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini made the announcement in a statement issued today.

The two men were arrested in March 2006 for taking pictures of military installations on Iran's southern island of Qeshm and sentenced to two years in prison.

Hosseini said the two were released for humanitarian reasons and following the requests of their parents and Swedish politicians.

(AFP, AP)