The Spaniard Santiago Sánchez Cogedor is now flying to Spain after being released in Iran

   MADRID, 1 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Spaniard Santiago Sánchez is now flying "free" to Spain after being released in Iran, as announced this Monday by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares.

"Today happiness is complete. After Ana Baneira's return in February, Santiago will finally be able to reunite very soon with her family and friends in Spain," the minister indicated in a comment published on X (formerly Twitter), collected by Europa Press.

Likewise, in the aforementioned comment, the head of the Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation portfolio thanked the Spanish Embassy in Iran and the Ministry that he himself directs "all" of his efforts.

The Iranian authorities announced on Sunday, December 31, the release of the Spaniard Santiago Sánchez Cogedor, who had been imprisoned in the country for a year on charges that had not yet been revealed.

The Iranian Embassy in Spain then confirmed the release of what was until now the "only Spaniard imprisoned in Iran" and explained that the release had been carried out "within the framework of the friendly and historical relations between the two countries and in compliance with the laws."

José Manuel Albares demanded his release at the beginning of October during an event in Madrid on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. "I take this opportunity to demand once again the release by Iran of Santiago Sánchez, unjustly detained in that country for more than a year," the head of Spanish diplomacy stated then.

Santiago Sánchez Cogedor was arrested in early October 2022 when he was heading on foot to Qatar to watch the World Cup. His arrest occurred amid protests in Iran following the death of young Mahsa Amini in custody after being arrested for allegedly wearing the Islamic veil incorrectly. Precisely, the Spaniard's arrest occurred after visiting the young woman's grave.

Around the same time, the Spanish Ana Baneira was also arrested, who had allegedly participated in one of the protests that were taking place in the country, although the activist was released at the end of February.

Then, the minister promised that he would spare no effort to also achieve the release of Santiago Sánchez, but warned that maximum discretion was necessary to achieve this, with no progress being made since then.