Amid efforts by the United States and European nations to isolate Iran's then-president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Westerwelle traveled to Tehran in February 2011 to bring home two journalists for the weekly newspaper Bild am Sonntag who were released after being arrested in October 2010. After weeks of negotiations, the Iranians reached out to discuss the release of the pair, the reporter Marcus Hellwig and the photographer Jens Koch. The two reporters had been arrested while interviewing the son of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a woman sentenced to death for adultery.Erik Kirschbaum (2 January 2011), Germany urges release of reporters jailed in Iran Reuters. A condition of their release was that Westerwelle meet with Ahmadinejad, causing Iranian exile groups in Europe to condemn the visit and to argue that Germany was bowing to the Tehran government at a time when security forces were cracking down on pro-democracy demonstrators.Judy Dempsey (21 February 2011), Germany Says Iran Meeting Necessary to Free Journalists New York Times.
amid efforts by the united states and european nations to isolate iran's then-president mahmoud ahmadinejad westerwelle traveled to tehran in february 2011 to bring home two journalists for the weekly newspaper bild am sonntag who were released after being arrested in october 2010 after weeks of negotiations the iranians reached out to discuss the release of the pair the reporter marcus hellwig and the photographer jens koch the two reporters had been arrested while interviewing the son of sakineh mohammadi ashtiani a woman sentenced to death for adulteryerik kirschbaum (2 january 2011) germany urges release of reporters jailed in iran reuters a condition of their release was that westerwelle meet with ahmadinejad causing iranian exile groups in europe to condemn the visit and to argue that germany was bowing to the tehran government at a time when security forces were cracking down on pro-democracy demonstratorsjudy dempsey (21 february 2011) germany says iran meeting necessary to free journalists new york times