Pakistani marathon runner Mona Khan released from police custody in Greece

Pakistani marathon runner and journalist Mona Khan, who was detained in Greece for reportedly waving Pakistani flag during a hiking trip, has been released from police custody, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

The Greek police arrested Mona Khan on Friday at noon and shifted her to jail.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokeswoman said that with the efforts of the Foreign Office, Mona Khan has been released from jail and she was travelling to Athens to meet her son.

Spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra said that officials of the Pakistani embassy today met Mona Khan in jail. Earlier, Pakistani authorities in Athens had also hired a lawyer for the release of Mona Khan. The Foreign Office had taken up the matter with the Greek authorities through the Pakistani Embassy.

Earlier, Mona Khan’s coach Malik Yousuf told 24News TV channel that the Greek police misbehaved with the Pakistani athlete and also confiscated her mobile phone.

Yousuf said Mona, who is also an anchorperson on a state-run TV channel, was taking part in the hiking leaving behind her seven-year-old son in Athens. He said he last spoke to Mona Khan an hour before her arrest, and she had mentioned that she was being questioned by the police for waving Pakistani flag.

In an audio clip circulating on social media, Mona Khan can be heard saying that she was detained by the police after she said that she would wave the Pakistani flag. Mona Khan claimed she was mistreated by the Greek police and appealed to the Pakistani government to take action for her release.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani Embassy in Athens has taken up the mater with the Greek authorities, said a statement issued in Islamabad on Saturday by the Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch. Mumtaz Zahra said Pakistani officials have sought consular access to Mona Khan.

 The Pakistani Embassy is also looking into the reasons behind Mona Khan's arrest, the Foreign Office spokesperson said and added the Pakistani mission is also in contact with Mona Khan's running coach Malik Yousuf.

Reporter: Anwar Abbas