Russian journalist’s charges change from “spying for Israel” to “visa issues”
Ali Rabiei, the spokesperson for the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, announced that the arrest of the Russian reporter Yulia Yuzik in Tehran was due to “visa issues,” and not “spying for Israel” as it was mentioned before.
Rabiei added: “This lady reporter’s case is not related to counter-espionage and her violations were visa related and it is being processed quickly.”
Previously, Yuzik’s ex-husband wrote on his Facebook page that she had called him from jail in Iran and told him that she was charged with spying for Israel.
Kremlin criticized the arrest of Yulia Yuzik on Monday and said Tehran’s action is unacceptable.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin Press Secretary told the reporters on Monday: “We see the arrest of the Russian journalists as a negative and unacceptable event.”
“We hope she is released in a very near future and the Russian side receives the necessary explanation,” Peskov continued.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Iranian ambassador for an explanation regarding the incident.
The next day, the spokesperson for the government of Iran announced that her arrest was due to visa issues, despite her family and colleagues.
Rabiei said that Yuzik will be released after some clarifications.