Iran fines French academic Reiss and says she can leave

The lawyer for Clotilde Reiss, the French national who was arrested for allegedly participating in post-election demonstrations in Iran last year, says the 24-year-old will be allowed to leave. A fine of 230,000 euros has reportedly been paid.

France 24

Lawyer Mohammad Ali Mahdavi Sabet said a court had issued a ruling that allows Reiss to leave Iran, and that she will soon collect her passport.

“There has been a court verdict which is not an acquittal but will enable her to leave the country," he said.

Reiss was sentenced to two terms of five years in prison, but the double sentence was commuted to fines "due to the personal circumstances" of Reiss by "a decision for leniency" of the authorities, Mahdavi Sabet said.

France has maintained Reiss’s innocence throughout the case, which included four appearances in court.

French foreign ministry spokesman Benard Valero said the government was "expecting her return without delay”.

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Iranian commentator Reza Taghizadeh

Daniel Finnan

 Reza Taghizadeh, an Iranian commentator based in Britain, said Reiss's release could be an attempt to divide members of the United Nations security council by showing willingness to negotiate.

"Iran is subject ot forthcoming sanctions by the United Nations," said Taghizadeh. "This could be an initial step towards a wider view of the more important negotiations between the two sides."

Iranian authorities arrested Reiss on 1 July last year during post-election unrest and put her on trial in August charged with acting against national security.