Iranian journalist freed on bail

An Iranian journalist has become the latest person linked to the banned opposition groups, the Freedom Movement and the Religious Nationalist Alliance, to be released on bail.

Said Madani was freed on Thursday, after paying bail of about $125,000 (one billion rials).

He had been detained since March last year, and he said his release came after he spoke in his own defence during a two-day trial earlier this week.

He told the BBC he had been informed of the verdict later.

His release brings to three the number of alleged dissidents freed this week.

Reza Rais-Tussi was released on Wednesday.

Correspondents say that, of the 60 members of the Freedom Movement and the Religious Nationalist Alliance arrested last year accused of plotting to overthrow the Islamic regime, only a handful remain in jail.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service