Kuwait has denied that two of its citizens arrested in Iran were spying, saying they were working for a private television channel and had obtained visas to enter Iran. “An official source at the foreign ministry categorically denied the accusation,” made against the two citizens, said a statement posted on the state-run KUNA news agency late Sunday. Iran's Arabic-language satellite channel Al-Alam had earlier quoted local officials in Abadan, southwest of Iran, as saying that two Kuwaitis were arrested in the town on suspicion of spying and illegal entry. “The two Kuwaiti citizens are working for a private Kuwaiti television channel and were on an assignment for the channel,” the Kuwaiti foreign ministry statement said. “They had obtained the necessary entry visas from Iranian authorities,” added the Kuwaiti statement. “We have initiated contact with Iranian authorities to get clarification and secure their release.” Local Kuwaiti media named the two as Adel al-Yahya, a lawyer by profession and a presenter at Al-Adalah satellite channel, and freelance cameraman Raed al-Majed. Al-Dar newspaper, also part of the media group, criticised the arrests and said the accusations were “baseless.” Meanwhile, an Iranian reporter believed to be working for the BBC Persian service has been arrested for what local media said “spreading lies and disrupting public minds.” Fars News agency said “Hassan Fathi who in the past days talked to BBC Persian confirming Zionist claims against Iran was arrested.” Fathi is accused of “spreading lies and disrupting public minds.” The BBC Persian service issued a statement Monday saying the network does not have a correspondent in Tehran.
