Iran plans to free US-Iranian on bail-report

TEHRAN, Sept 4 (Reuters) Iranian-American academic Kian Tajbakhsh, detained in Tehran on spying charges since May, will be released on bail when the investigation is complete, a judge was quoted as saying today.

Judge Hossein Haddad's comments came one day after another Iranian-American citizen, Haleh Esfandiari, flew out of Tehran some two weeks after being freed on bail following more than three months in detention on similar charges.

''The investigations about his (Tajbakhsh's) case are continuing and after they are completed his arrest (status) will be changed to bail,'' Haddad told state broadcaster IRIB, according to its Web site.

In cases that stoked tension with Iran's old foe, the United States, Tehran in May separately detained Esfandiari and Tajbakhsh.

Esfandiari walked free after her family paid bail of 3 billion rials (320,000 dollars).

Iran has accused the two of involvement in what it says is a US-led plot to topple its clerical establishment in a ''soft revolution''. The United States has dismissed the allegation.

Tajbakhsh is a consultant with the Soros Institute, founded by billionaire investor George Soros. Esfandiari works at the US Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. They were both visiting Tehran when they were detained.

REUTERS PD RN1714