"Iran: Group Releases Turks, Still Holding Soldiers Hostage
By Golnaz Esfandiari
Iran -- map
(RFE/RL)
The families of the Iranian soldiers who were kidnapped recently near the Iran-Pakistan border gathered today in front of Iran’s presidential building in Tehran. They called for swift government action to release the hostages. The semi-official Fars news agency reported today that the protesters say the hostage takers have threatened to kill the kidnapped soldiers within three days unless Tehran frees four of the group’s members and pays a ransom. The hostage takers made the same threat to RFE/RL’s Radio Farda last week. They claim they are members of a Sunni militant group but Iranian officials say they are drug smugglers with ties to terrorist organizations."
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