Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 19 / Trend, N. Umid
The U.S. welcomes reports that the Iranian Government has released several prisoners of conscience, including human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, the U.S. State Department Deputy Spokeswoman Marie Harf said, according to the statement on the U.S. Department of State website.
On September 18, Iranian media outlets informed that at least 11 political prisoners, among them prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh have been released.
Iran's unexpected release is being seen as the first tangible sign of change in the country since the July election of Hassan Rouhani as president.
Harf expressed hope that Rouhani will continue to keep his promises to the Iranian people in the months ahead.
Rouhani, who was inaugurated on August 4, campaigned on a platform of moderation and promised to release political prisoners as well as give Iranians more rights.
The Journalsit Mahsa Amrabadi, reformist politician and founding member of the reformist party Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization Feyzollah Arabsorkhi, reformist diplomat and former deputy FM Mohsen Aminzadeh and former reformist MP Mir Taher Mousavi are among the released prisoners.