Iran frees US resident Nizar Zakka from prison lawyer Poblete says

ISTANBUL —Iran on Tuesday freed Nizar Zakka, a U.S. permanent resident and Lebanese national, from prison after nearly four years behind bars, following a months-long effort by Lebanese officials to secure his release.

Zakka, who was arrested in 2015 and convicted of spying for the U.S. government, was on his way to his native Lebanon on Tuesday, his lawyer said. An Iranian court had sentenced him to 10 years in prison on espionage charges — accusations he denies.

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“After more than 1,350 days in captivity in Iran, we have received excellent news: Mr. Nizar Zakka is a free man,” his Washington-based lawyer, Jason Poblete, said in an emailed statement.

“Nizar looks forward to reuniting with family and friends,” Poblete said. “Nizar expresses his sincerest thanks to those who never forgot him.”