Ahmadinejad announces release of British sailors
Iranian president calls release a “gift” to Britain, scolds London for not being ‘brave enough’ to tell its people it made a mistake. Sailors should be free today.

Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A “gift" to Britain is how Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad described the release of 15 British sailors captured on March 23.

Mr Ahmadinejad made the announcement during a press conference in Tehran in which he presented medals to members of the Revolutionary Guard naval patrol that seized the British on March 23.

He Iranian president scolded Britain for not being ‘brave enough’ to tell the truth and that it made a mistake.

He addressed British Prime Minister Tony Blair pointing out that a woman was among the British sailors. “How can you justify seeing a mother away from her home, her children,” he said.

He added that the Britons would be taken to the airport right after the press conference for the flight home.

No comment from the British government yet.