Tasnim � Tehran has been persistently calling on Australia to free an Iranian woman detained on charges of violating US commercial laws, a deputy foreign minister said, voicing concern about the pregnant woman�s health problems in prison.





Speaking to reporters in Iran�s southwestern city of Ahvaz on Thursday, Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Qashqavi repeated a call on the Australian government to liberate Iranian citizen Negar Qods Kani �on compassionate grounds and considering her innocence.�

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has had a telephone conversation with his Australian counterpart about Mrs. Qods Kani�s case, Qashqavi noted, saying the Iranian expatriate is not in proper health conditions.

In early October, Chief of the Iranian Judiciary�s Human Rights Council Mohammad Javad Larijani met Australia�s ambassador to Tehran, demanding that Canberra immediately free Qods Kani.

Iranian officials maintain that she has not committed any crime and, therefore, it is illogical to extradite her to the US.

According to reports, Qods Kani has been jailed by the Australian judicial officials since June 16 for alleged violation of US commercial laws.

The Iranian woman, waiting for her first delivery, and her husband emigrated to Australia six years ago through legal procedures.