ROME Iran's ambassador here, Ali Ahani, in a letter to the Italian News Agency (ANSA) rejected the claim that the recently detained spies have been arrested for their religious beliefs. Following the arrest of 13 Jewish spies in southern province of Fars certain segments of Italian mass media and officials have become sensitive toward the issue, citing religious faith as the reason behind their arrests.

Quoting Ahani's letter ANSA said according to the Islamic Republic Constitution Jews like any other official minorities and like any other citizens in Iran enjoy full civil and religious rights. (IRNA)