An Iranian protester whose family were told he faced the death penalty has been released, a relative has confirmed.
Erfan Soltani, 26, had been detained during protests on 8 January.
His family were later told Mr Soltani, from Fardis, Karaj, would be sentenced to death on Wednesday 14 January, according to Kurdish and Iranian human rights organisation Hengaw.
But according to Hengaw and Iranian state media, ISNA, Mr Soltani has been released on bail.
A relative of Mr Soltani also confirmed to Sky News that he has been released on bail.
ISNA said in a post on Telegram: “Erfan Soltani, who was arrested during the recent events and whom some foreign media had previously claimed was sentenced to death was released from prison on bail of two billion tomans [roughly £9,000 in Iranian currency].”
Hengaw had previously said Mr Soltani was yet to be executed, despite reports saying he had been on social media.
US President Donald Trump has previously warned of “very strong action” if Iran executes any protesters.
But Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned any action by Mr Trump against his nation would result in war.
‘The Iranian people should not be frightened’
In comments reported by Iranian state media, Mr Khamenei said: “America should know that if it starts a war, this time it will be a regional war.
“These threats are nothing new. In the past as well, American officials repeatedly talked about war and said that all options were on the table including war.
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“Now this man (Mr Trump) too, keeps claiming that they have brought aircraft carriers and warplanes. The Iranian people should not and will not be frightened by such things.
“We are not the ones who start a war and we do not want to attack any country, but if America attacks or harms Iran the Iranian nation will deliver a strong blow and any war started by America will spread across the region.”
Protests in Iran broke out in December last year, initially focusing on the economy before expanding to wider political issues.
Thousands of people have been killed with Sky News being told of conflicting reports on the actual number.
This story originally appeared on Skynews
