Call for release of academic held as spy

The world's largest association of educators of overseas students has called for the release of an Iranian-American academic imprisoned in Iran.

The NAFSA: Association of International Educators issued a resolution at its annual conference calling for the release of Haleh Esfandiari. She directs the Middle East programme at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars and has been imprisoned in Tehran since May 8. The Iranian Government has formally charged her with espionage and "endangering national security through propaganda against the system", the Washington-based centre said.