TORONTO - A Canadian journalist and Newsweek correspondent detained in Iran for more than two months is a leading contender for a prestigious international award.
Newsweek says Maziar Bahari, 42, is in line for the Prince of Asturias Award for Concord, also described as Spain's Nobel Peace Prize.
Bahari was on assignment in his native Iran covering the presidential elections when he was arrested June 21 in a widespread post-election crackdown.
The award aims to reward the scientific, technical, cultural, social and humanistic work performed by individuals, groups of individuals or institutions at an international level.
Previous laureates have included the United Nations Children's Fund, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling; and the late King Hussein of Jordan.
Bahari's nomination has been given public support by Nobel Laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Newsweek reports. This year, there are 44 nominees, including individuals and organizations from 26 countries.
Other nominees described in the Spanish press as front-runners for the prize this year are the Monks of Silos, whose Gregorian chants are known around the world, and the city of Berlin 20 years after the fall of the Wall.
The Asturias jury begins deliberations on Wednesday and will make its decision public on Thursday.
A number of petitions has been filed calling for Bahari's release and the Canadian government has said it's doing all it can through diplomatic channels to win his freedom.
Liberal MP Dan McTeague said Sunday he's learned from sources inside Iran that Bahari has been acquitted of all minor charges against him.
McTeague claimed the only thing delaying Bahari's release now is a guarantee by the Canadian government that the journalist "was at no time involved with any official Canadian government activity within Iran."
He urged Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon to offer such assurances to the Iranian government in order to win Bahari's release.
