Several Iranian prisoners were released from prisons in the UAE on Saturday evening, October 3, prompting Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to thank Emirati authorities for their cooperation. The number of prisoners released and the reasons for their imprisonment have not been officially disclosed.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told his weekly press briefing on Sunday, October 4: “The release of several of our compatriots last night is important to us, and we would like to thank the Emirati authorities for their cooperation.” He added that the matter had been raised with Emirati officials on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and expressed hope that other imprisoned Iranians would also be released as soon as possible.

Iran’s state broadcaster reported that those released had “spent years in UAE prisons” and included several Iranian women. The report said legal and diplomatic efforts to secure their rights were continuing in earnest.

In recent months, several other Iranians detained in the UAE have also been released, all of whom were fishermen: 55 in July and another 10 in September.