France pays 200,000 euros for Reiss release

The French government paid around 200,000 euros (some 280,000 U.S. dollars) in bail for the release of French academic Clotilde Reiss from prison in Tehran, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner confirmed on Monday.

"Of course we hope to be reimbursed," Kouchner spoke on cable news channel LCI. He insisted that Reiss was innocent, saying "that will be recognized."

"We can expect, we must expect, a verdict that recognizes her innocence."

Reiss, 24, was freed on Sunday, but must remain in Iran until the charges conclude.

France continues to call for Iran to drop all charges against Reiss as soon as possible.