Kuwaiti citizen returns home following his release from Iran

Kuwaiti citizen Adel Al-Huwal returned home Sunday following his release by Iranian security authorities in the city of Shiraz. Al-Huwal, accompanied by Kuwait's Consul in Tehran Saad Al-Hajri, said he went to Tehran for a vacation but the security authorities in Shiraz arrested him because they believed his visa expired. Speaking to reporters following his arrival at the airport, Al-Huwal affirmed he was treated well by the Iranian authorities. He explained the authorities informed the hotel he was staying in that he was violating the visa and residency laws, but the government officials in Tehran verified his case and released him. Director of the Consular Department at the Foreign Ministry Ambassador Talal Al-Falah said Al-Huwal was arrested between October 31 and November 30. Al-Falah highlighted the relentless efforts by Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Foreign Undersecretary Khaled Al-Jarallah and the Embassy in Tehran which contributed to the release of Al-Huwal. He also commended the Iranian foreign ministry and Embassy in Kuwait for their cooperation. Al-Hajri said Al-Huwal arrived in Shiraz with a tourist visa and stayed in the city for two weeks before he was arrested on charges of "carrying out abnormal activities and visiting some places that are not allowed to visit."