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U.S. to pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians in prisoner swap: report

Xinhua, January 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

The U.S. will either pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians in exchange for the release of four detained Iranian-Americans, U.S. media reported Saturday.

The Associated Press said the seven Iranians -- six of whom are dual citizens -- were either accused or convicted of violating U.S. sanctions.

The Associated Press said three of the Iranians were serving prison terms and now have received a commutation or pardon, and three others were awaiting trial. The last one made a plea agreement.

On Saturday, Iran released four detained dual-nationals, including the Iranian-American Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, as a part of prisoner swap, Iran's state IRINN TV reported.

Iran's prosecutor general announced that "in line with the order of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and the interests of the country, Iran has released four Iranian dual-national prisoners as a part of prisoners swap."

When talking to IRINN on Saturday, an informed source identified the released inmates as the Iranian-Americans: Saeed Abedini, Amir Mirzaee Hekmati, Nosratollah Khosravi and Jason Rezaian. Enditem