Missing Iranian Scientist Case Causes Diplomatic Discomfort

Posted on Jul 13, 2010

bbc.co.uk

Lost and found?: One of three videos that have surfaced shows the man purported to be Shahram Amiri.

Well, this is awkward: After months of conflicting reports as to his whereabouts, missing Iranian scientist Shahram Amiri has apparently turned up in the Iranian section of Pakistan’s embassy in Washington, D.C. But was he kidnapped?  —KA

BBC:

A spokesman from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Abdul Basit, told the BBC that Shahram Amiri was seeking immediate repatriation to Iran.

In June videos purportedly of Mr Amiri but containing contradictory information on his whereabouts emerged.

The US rejected Tehran’s claims that it was behind Mr Amiri’s disappearance.

Iranian media say Mr Amiri worked as a researcher at a university in Tehran, but some reports say he worked for the country’s atomic energy organisation and had in-depth knowledge of its controversial nuclear programme.

ABC News reported in March that he had defected and was helping the CIA, revealing valuable information about the Iranian nuclear programme.

But earlier this month, Tehran said it had proof he was being held in the US.

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