LOC16:46
13:46 GMT
BRUSSELS, Sept 19 (KUNA) -- EU High Representative Catherine Ashton
Thursday "warmly welcomed" the release of a group of Iranian political
prisoners, including the prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh.
"I hope that this positive step will mark a new departure, in line with the
commitments announced by the new leadership, and will pave the way for an
improvement of the human rights situation in Iran," she said in a brief
statement.
Iran reportedly released 11 political prisoners on Wednesday, days before
the visit of Iranian President Hassan Rohani to New York to attend the UN
General Assembly. (end)
nk.ajs
KUNA 191646 Sep 13NNNN