WANA (May 29) – Hojjatoleslam Ghasemian, who was arrested by Saudi authorities for his remarks on social media regarding the atmosphere in the cities of Mecca and Medina, has been released and returned to Iran following efforts by Iranian officials.

 

The Hajj Information Center, affiliated with the Office of the Supreme Leader’s Hajj Mission, confirmed his release by republishing a message the cleric posted on his personal social media account.

 

Ghasemian wrote: “Greetings to all dear ones… With your prayers and the tireless efforts of the Iranian consulate in Saudi Arabia, I have been released from prison and am now on my way back to our beloved homeland via Dubai…”

 

The Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization of Iran announced that Gholamreza Ghasemian was released and returned to Iran in accordance with the friendly relations between the two countries, with the cooperation of senior Saudi government officials and without being referred to court.

 

In addition to Ghasemian, Nadimi, another detained Iranian national, was also released and arrived in Iran this morning.

 

Ghasemian was returned to Iran by Saudi authorities before the official start of the Hajj rituals. Iranian Hajj officials described his comments as his “personal opinion” and, through the Committee for the Protection of Pilgrims’ Rights—in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy, and the Consulate General in Jeddah—pursued his release.

 

Although the spokesperson for Iran’s judiciary had previously called Ghasemian’s arrest in Saudi Arabia “unjustified” and “illegal”, Iranian  Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi reacted by stating:

 

“The Islamic Republic of Iran firmly condemns any attempt to undermine the unity of Muslims, especially in the spiritual setting of Hajj. We are determined not to allow anyone to damage our fraternal relations with our neighbors, including the positive path of relations with Saudi Arabia.”

Hojjatoleslam Ghasemian. Social media/ WANA News Agency