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Ghoncheh Ghavami Iranian-British jailed for Watching a men's volleyball game in Iran

An Iranian-British woman jailed for trying to attend a men's volleyball game in Iran has been released on bail, her family said.

Ghoncheh Ghavami, 25, was found guilty last month of "propagating against the ruling system" and received the custodial sentence.

She was detained in June at a Tehran stadium after trying to attend a men's volleyball match between Iran and Italy.

ghoncheh ghavami
Iranian-British Ghoncheh Ghavami

Ghavami, from Shepherd's Bush in west London, was taking part in a protest against a ban on women in Iran attending sporting events in the company of men in public stadiums when she was arrested.

Iran banned women from volleyball games in 2012, extending a long-standing ban on football matches.

In a statement emailed to reporters, Iman Ghavami said: "Few hours ago my sister was bailed out for her birthday on Monday. It is so good to be home. I finally heard her voice after 149 days. It was a very emotional moment. My mother couldn't stop crying.

"But she is not free yet. Bail is not freedom.

"Yesterday the judge issued the verdict of one year imprisonment and two years prohibition from leaving Iran. Ghoncheh will soon defend her innocence again in the court of appeal.

"We hope she will be vindicated of all charges and be allowed to come back to the UK to continue her studies. You have been by our side throughout this difficult ordeal and I thought to share this moment with you. I hope you stay with us until Ghoncheh is free for good."
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