Saudi Arabia releases 12 Iranian prisoners: Iranian embassy

Twelve Iranians imprisoned in Saudi Arabia have been released and repatriated to their home country, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Wednesday, reported Xinhua.

The Iranians, identified as fishermen, were released following the completion of legal proceedings and formalities and on the back of constant follow-ups by the Iranian embassy in Saudi Arabia, the report quoted the Iranian diplomatic mission in the Arab state as saying, without mentioning the dates of the nationals' release or repatriation.

They had been arrested by Saudi authorities after entering the Arab state's territorial waters, Tasnim said, but did not give the date of their detentions.

It said 15 other Iranian fishermen were still imprisoned in Saudi Arabia on the same conviction, adding that their release was on the Iranian embassy's agenda through constant consultations with the Saudi Foreign Ministry.