Retired Iranian-Armenian pastor Vruir Avanessian has been released on bail after two weeks in detention.

Pastor Vruir was arrested on 27 December alongside a number of converts to Christianity, and taken to Evin Prison. 

During his detention, the pastor, who retired because of ill health, had to be taken to hospital on several occasions for kidney dialysis, wearing prison clothes and accompanied by guards. 

He was finally released on bail on Thursday, 10 January.

His condition is said to be stable.

Pastor Vruir served as the leader of Armenian and Persian-language churches for many years, but retired following a kidney transplant and diabetes diagnosis.