By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: An Iranian accused of violating sanctions against Tehran has been released after nearly three years in US custody, Press TV reported Saturday.
Amir-Hossein Seirafi was released from a federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, and has flown back to Iran.
In January 2010, Seirafi was arrested in Germany over allegations of helping ship specialised vacuum pump equipment to Iran through a free trade zone in the United Arab Emirates.
The US authorities said the equipment could be used in Iran’s nuclear energy programme.
Seirafi was extradited to the US later in 2010 and pleaded guilty to conspiracy, money laundering and violating Iran trade embargo.
“They say the sanctions aren’t meant to harm the ordinary Iranian citizens, but as you can see, Iranians like me are the real ones under pressure,” Seirafi told Press TV upon his arrival in Tehran.