Missing Iranian scientist 'at Pakistani embassy in US'

[tabatha]

Iran says a nuclear scientist it claims was abducted by the US has taken refuge in its interest section at Pakistan's embassy in Washington, state media say.

Shahram Amiri disappeared a year ago while on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this month, Tehran said it had proof he was being held in the US. The US denies having abducted him.

The allegation came after three videos purportedly of Mr Amiri containing contradictory information as to his whereabouts emerged on the internet.

The first said he had been kidnapped, the second that he was living freely in Arizona, and the third that he had escaped from his captors.

"A few hours ago Shahram Amiri took refuge at Iran's interest section at the Pakistan embassy in Washington, wanting to return to Iran immediately," Iranian state radio reported on Tuesday morning.

Iran and the US cut diplomatic relations shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution and the Pakistan embassy looks after Iran's interests.

The US has strenuously denied abducting him, but ABC News reported in March that Mr Amiri had defected and was helping the CIA.

Iranian media say Mr Amiri worked as a researcher at a university in Tehran, but some reports say he worked for the country's atomic energy organisation and had in-depth knowledge of its controversial nuclear programme.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/middle_east/10609461.stm

[Sinistrous]

1. Byzantine !