Iran scientist seeks refuge in Pakistan embassy in US
State radio says nuclear scientist who disappeared during pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia a year ago 'wants to return to Iran immediately'
Iran's state radio said on Tuesday a missing Iranian nuclear scientist who Tehran says was kidnapped by the CIA, had taken refuge in Pakistan's embassy in Washington.
"A few hours ago Shahram Amiri took refuge at Iran's interest section at the Pakistan embassy in Washington, wanting to return to Iran immediately," state radio said.
Later, a US official speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed the report.
"Mr. Amiri has been in the United States of his own free will and has decided to return to Iran of his own free will," he said.
Iran and the United States cut diplomatic relations shortly after the country's 1979 Islamic revolution. The Pakistani embassy looks after Iran's interests in the United States.
Amiri, a university researcher working for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, disappeared during a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia a year ago and Tehran accused Riyadh of handing him over to the United States, which Saudi Arabia has denied.
'I fled from US agents'
Iran summoned the Swiss ambassador to Tehran earlier this month and handed over documents which it said showed Amiri had been kidnapped by the United States.
US interests in Tehran are handled by the Swiss embassy.
Confusing video footage of Amiri has been aired in the past weeks. In one video, a man identified as Amiri, said he had been taken to the United States and tortured.
In another video that appeared on the Internet, a man also purporting to be the scientist said he was actually studying in the United States.
In a third video, a man describing himself as Amiri said he had fled from US "agents" and was in hiding, urging human rights groups to help him return to Iran.
In March, ABC news said Amiri had defected to the United States and was helping the CIA.
Tehran initially refused to acknowledge Amiri's involvement in Iran's disputed nuclear program, which the West fears is being used to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says it is aimed at generating electricity.
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