TEHRAN, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The French Foreign Ministry says Iran's government issued a pardon and released a French tourist convicted of photographing ships in the Persian Gulf.
Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said Stephane Lherbier, who was arrested along with German Donald Klein in November 2005, was given into the custody of the French Embassy in Tehran Sunday, Fars News Agency reported Monday.
Douste-Blazy said Lherbier was pardoned by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, and the foreign minister expressed hope that Klein would also soon be released. The German Foreign Ministry appealed for Klein's release Sunday.
The two were arrested after their sailing vessel strayed into Iran's territorial waters during an expedition off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.
