Slovaks Detained In Iran Accused Of Spying

A spokesman for Slovakia's Foreign Ministry has confirmed to RFE/RL that a number of Slovak citizens have been detained in Iran.

The spokesman said on June 28 that Slovak diplomats in Tehran were in direct contact with the people detained there and with Iranian officials.

The Slovak news website SME said that five or six Slovaks have been detained in Iran for allegedly spying.

It said they were members of a hang-gliding club who had gone to Iran on an expedition and had been accused of taking pictures, including of military facilities.

It is the second such incident in recent months, after a Slovak national was arrested in Iran in January and accused of spying for the United States.

Matej Valuch, 26, who has denied the allegations, was later released and returned home.

With reporting by Sme.sk