Reuters: US to release Iranian professor acquitted of sanctions violation
Citing American and Iranian officials, Reuters reported on Tuesday that the United States is expected to send back Iranian professor Sirous Asgari, who was acquitted of stealing trade secrets, once he receives medical clearance to leave.
Asgari might be part of a rare prisoner swap between foes Iran and the United States. Iranian sources have told Reuters that Tehran is prepared to take part in a swap, according to Reuters.
The 59-year-old Asgari, who tested positive for the novel coronavirus around 10 days ago, is under the medical care of U.S. immigration authorities and awaits a health clearance to travel, said Abolfazl Mehrabadi, an Iranian diplomat who is deputy director of Tehran’s interests section at the Pakistani Embassy in Washington.
“We are working and cooperating with the immigration office to deport him as soon as possible to Iran,” Mehrabadi said.
A spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) declined to provide a specific timeline but confirmed that the agency was expecting to carry out Asgari’s removal from the country once he is medically cleared to travel.
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