AKIPRESS.COM - Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has pardoned 10 Iranian nationals held captive in his country, reports The Tehran Times.

The news was announced by Turkmen Foreign Minister Rasit Meredov as he met Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Kashkavi in Ashgabat on Monday.

Berdimuhamedov’s act comes on the eve of Turkmenistan’s National Flag Day on February 19.

In line with the two countries’ resolve to boost ties, over 50 Iranian inmates in Turkmenistan’s prisons have been freed so far. Three Turkmen nationals have also been transferred from Iranian jails to prisons in their homeland to serve their terms.

Around 250 Iranian nationals are held captive in Turkmenistan while there are 11 Turkmen nationals in Iran.