The acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, demanded this Wednesday the release of the Spaniard Santiago Sánchez, imprisoned in Iran for a year on charges that have not been revealed.

Albares made this request during an event in Madrid on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in which she criticized an “unbearable setback” in the rights of women and girls in countries such as Iran or Afghanistan.

“I take this opportunity to demand once again the release by Iran of Santiago Sánchez, unjustly detained in that country for more than a year,” said the head of Spanish diplomacy during his speech, describing it as “unacceptable.” the repression that the country exercises against protests in defense of women's rights and freedoms.

Santiago Sánchez Cogedor was arrested in early October 2022 when he was heading on foot to Qatar to watch the Soccer World Cup.. His arrest occurred amid protests in Iran following the death of young Mahsa Amini in custody after being arrested for allegedly wearing the Islamic veil incorrectly.. Precisely, the Spaniard's arrest occurred after visiting the young woman's grave.

Around the same time, the Spanish Ana Baneira was also arrested, who had allegedly participated in one of the protests that were taking place in the country, although the activist was released at the end of February.

Then, the minister promised that he would spare no effort to also achieve the release of Santiago Sánchez, but warned that maximum discretion was necessary to achieve this, with no progress being made since then.

Diplomatic sources have assured Europa Press that both the minister and the Spanish ambassador in Tehran, Ángel Losada, have continued to insist in recent months on the need for his release and the young man has received periodic consular visits.