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Polish scientist is being held in Iran, government confirms

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A citizen of Poland is being held in Tehran, the Polish government said Thursday, confirming the detention after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard accused several Europeans of spying on military sites as tensions remain high between Tehran and the West.

Poland’s Foreign Ministry said that Iran had arrested a “highly reputed scientist” last September, adding that the government was providing consular assistance to the detainee and working to secure his release. The government provided no other details, citing privacy requirements.

Iran on Wednesday named a Polish scientist as being among of a group of diplomats and foreigners accused of spying and taking soil samples from prohibited military zones in Iran’s desert while the Guard was carrying out missile tests.