Iran frees detained German citizen accused of spying - reporter
Mark Kaufman, a German national detained in Iran in June on suspicion of espionage has been freed under conditional pardon, journalist Kambiz Ghafouri told Iran International.
Mark Kaufman, a German national detained in Iran in June on suspicion of espionage has been freed under conditional pardon, journalist Kambiz Ghafouri told Iran International.
“Iranian judicial and security officials directed Kaufman to submit a conditional release request. He was removed from prison and fully released on Thursday,” Ghafouri told Iran International on Friday.
Ghafouri, a veteran investigative journalist who has reported previously on undisclosed developments within Iran's security establishment and who broke the news via a post on X, said Kaufman remained in Iran.
No official Iranian media has reported the release, and the German Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to an Iran International request for comment.
Iranian media reported in June that Kaufman had been arrested on alleged spying charges near restricted nuclear and military sites in Markazi province.
State news agency Mehr released a video they say showed Kaufman, describing him as a Jewish-German dual national tourist cycling through the region, speaking after his arrest.
In the footage, Kaufman says he was aware he was near a military area and that taking photos or videos was not allowed. He adds that he sent his location to a friend. The video is heavily edited and does not include a clear confession.
Iranian officials accuse Kaufman of gathering intelligence on sensitive military sites, including missile silos, drone routes and airbases.
Mehr said he was detained by Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) intelligence operatives in an area marked with warning signs.
