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CIA tortured me, says Iran envoy CIA tortured me, says Iran envoy
(about 4 hours later)
An Iranian diplomat freed last week after being abducted in Iraq in February has said he was tortured by his captors, including CIA agents.An Iranian diplomat freed last week after being abducted in Iraq in February has said he was tortured by his captors, including CIA agents.
Jalal Sharafi, the second secretary at Iran's embassy in Baghdad, told Iranian media the agents had interrogated him on his country's role in Iraq.Jalal Sharafi, the second secretary at Iran's embassy in Baghdad, told Iranian media the agents had interrogated him on his country's role in Iraq.
Mr Sharafi said he had been taken from his car by men in Iraqi army uniforms.Mr Sharafi said he had been taken from his car by men in Iraqi army uniforms.
The US military in Iraq said the coalition forces had not been involved in the abduction or any torture. The White House said the US had not been involved in his detention, and it welcomed Mr Sharafi's return to Iran.
Irbil detentionsIrbil detentions
Mr Sharafi told the Irna state news agency he was subjected to torture "day and night".Mr Sharafi told the Irna state news agency he was subjected to torture "day and night".
"I was kidnapped on a Baghdad street while shopping by officials who had Iraqi defence ministry ID cards and were riding in American forces vehicles," he said."I was kidnapped on a Baghdad street while shopping by officials who had Iraqi defence ministry ID cards and were riding in American forces vehicles," he said.
The Multi-National Force Iraq was not involved in his kidnapping or any kind of claims of torture Lt-Col Christopher Garver,US military This is just the latest theatrics of a government trying to deflect attention away from its own unacceptable actions Gordon JohndroeWhite House spokesman
Mr Sharafi said he was taken from the Karrada district to a base near Baghdad airport and questioned in Arabic and English.Mr Sharafi said he was taken from the Karrada district to a base near Baghdad airport and questioned in Arabic and English.
"The CIA officials' questions focused mainly on Iran's presence and influence in Iraq," he said."The CIA officials' questions focused mainly on Iran's presence and influence in Iraq," he said.
"When faced with my responses on Iran's official ties with the Iraqi government they increased the torture.""When faced with my responses on Iran's official ties with the Iraqi government they increased the torture."
Iran's Fars news agency said: "He showed reporters the marks left by torture on his body that are now being treated by doctors."Iran's Fars news agency said: "He showed reporters the marks left by torture on his body that are now being treated by doctors."
US military spokesman Lt-Col Christopher Garver denied any coalition role in the case. White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe, accompanying President George W Bush in Texas on Saturday, denied any coalition role in the case.
"The Multi-National Force Iraq was not involved in his kidnapping or any kind of claims of torture that he is now stating that he was subjected to," Col Garver said. "The United States had nothing to do with Mr Sharafi's detention and we welcome his return to Iran.
"This is just the latest theatrics of a government trying to deflect attention away from its own unacceptable actions," he said.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said Baghdad did not know who had held him.Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said Baghdad did not know who had held him.
Diplomatic tension remains high between Washington and Tehran over the detention by US forces of five Iranians in the Iraqi city of Irbil in January.Diplomatic tension remains high between Washington and Tehran over the detention by US forces of five Iranians in the Iraqi city of Irbil in January.
The US suspects them of aiding the Iraqi insurgency. Tehran says they have diplomatic status.The US suspects them of aiding the Iraqi insurgency. Tehran says they have diplomatic status.
Iran this week released 15 UK sailors it had held for 13 days.Iran this week released 15 UK sailors it had held for 13 days.