IRNA � Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Saturday that the relentless diplomatic efforts to support the Iranian charity worker Narges Kalbasi Ashtari bore fruit and she was acquitted of all charges against her.


The incessant efforts of the Iranian diplomats and on top Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif finally bore fruit and Kalbasi Astari was acquitted of all charges and was freed, he said.

The support made by people was also crucial for her release, he said.

Iranian foreign ministry is duty bound to support all Iranian nationals and back their legitimate rights in the foreign countries and is to pursue the policy in the new Iranian year as well, Qasemi said.

On December 5, 2016, Kalbasi Ashtari was sentenced to one year in prison and 300,000 rupees ($4,300) in fines on alleged charges of involuntary manslaughter, a crime, she said, she never committed.

Her story started in 2014 when a 5-year-old boy disappeared during a day-long picnic which was organized by Kalbasi. The boy was not part of Kalbasi children's home but his parents worked for the foundation.

Now 28, Narges soon became an orphan herself as she lost both Iranian parents to incurable diseases at the age of 10 and 15. The family, originally from Isfahan, lived in the United Kingdom.

Most probably, her experience as an orphan contributed greatly to the path she took later in 2011 when she launched her orphanage home in Rayagada in the Indian eastern state of Odisha.

Iran�s mission in New Delhi appointed Iranian Consul General Hassan Nourian to follow up her case and to support Narges Kalbasi Ashtari.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also said that during his visit to India, he raised the case with the Indian officials and promised that the foreign ministry will discharge its duty in line with the principle of diplomatic protection to Iranian expatriates.

A number of Iranian university students on Dec 28, 2016 held a gathering protest in Banglore to show their support for Kalbasi Ashtari.

The Indian appeal court acquitted her of all charges and she has the option to call for compensation for all hardships and pains she suffered during the period, the verdict of the court read.