Iranian embassy denies release of 48 kidnapped Iranians in Damascus

An informed source in Iran's embassy in Damascus did not confirm reports about release of 48 Iranian pilgrims kidnapped in Syria. The source told the official (IRNA) news agency in Damascus on Saturday evening that news disseminated by a number of media in this concern is not true. The source added that the issue is being followed, and in case of their freedom, the news will be published promptly. 48 Iranian pilgrims were kidnapped by armed persons on Saturday morning when they were going from airport to their hotel in the suburb of Damascus. 32 Iranians, including 7 engineers, 22 pilgrims and 3 truck drivers had already been kidnapped in different areas in Syria; 27 of them were later released in different stages and five of them are still in the hands of armed persons.