TEHRAN (FNA)- The unknown assailants who had abducted Iran's fencing champion Hamed Sedaqati and one of his friends in the Southeastern Sistan and Balouchestan province over three months ago have released them, Sistan and Balouchestan Governor General Ali Awsat Hashemi announced on Saturday.
"The two have been released as a result of the efforts made by intelligence department of Sistan and Balouchestan and local influential people," Awsat Hashemi wrote on his Facebook page.

Hashemi did not mention if anyone has been arrested in the case or if any ransom has been paid by Sedaqati's family. The abductors had asked his family to pay USD 4 million.

The Iranian Intelligence Ministry also confirmed Sedaqati's release in a statement minutes ago.

The statement said "a number of outlaws were arrested and ...Mr. Hamed Sedaqati, the Iranian fencing champion, and Mr. Mehdi Hossein Qaralri, a lawyer, were released and returned to their families".

The Intelligence Ministry did not reveal details of the operation, but said security forces identified the group and released the two as a result of "complicated operations against the outlawed and anti-revolution group in an eastern province".

In late April, Sedaqati and one of his friends were abducted in Sistan and Balouchestan province.

"The two have been abducted on Khaash-Iranshahr road," a provincial official said then.

Khaash Governor Mohammad Akbar Chakerzehi said the identity of the abductors was unknown. "Investigations are already underway into the incident," he added.

Sedaqati and two of his friends were driving on the road to the provincial capital city of Zahedan when they came under attack by unknown assailants.

Other reports named the second abductee as Mehdi Hosseini Qaralri, a lawyer.

"The third person has been killed by the kidnappers," officials said in late April. Media reports named the third man as Mohammad Ali Qaffari, who had been killed by a shot in the head.

Meantime, Iranian Fencing Federation President Fazlollah Baqerzadeh also said in late April that his federation was pursuing the case through law-enforcement officials.

Hamed Sedaqati won the 3rd place in Asian championship in 2006.

By Fars News Agency

 

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