Iran forms committee to release arrested journalist

Iran’s foreign minister says a committee has been formed to explore diplomatic channels in the case of an Iranian journalist being held in Italian custody.

Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters on Thursday that efforts will be made to secure the release of Hamid Masoumi-Nejad — an accredited journalist working for Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) in Rome.

“A committee made up of diplomatic, political and legal [experts] has been established in the Foreign Ministry to follow up on the case on a daily basis,” he was quoted by ISNA as saying.

The Italian police arrested Masoumi-Nejad, along with another Iranian national, over allegations of arms trafficking.

Iran’s foreign minister has condemned the arrests as a “ridiculous game and political showmanship.”

Mottaki has expressed hope that the Italian government would behave in a rational manner and release the two immediately.