CAIRO, EGYPT–One of Osama bin Laden's sons has called on Iran's leader to release members of his family believed to be under house arrest there since fleeing Afghanistan in 2001, according to a letter posted Monday on the Internet.

Khalid bin Laden accused Iranian authorities of mistreating about 30 relatives, saying they had been "beaten and repressed."

The letter, which was dated early January, appeared to have been written shortly after news reports surfaced about one of his sisters, Eman, who escaped from Iranian guards and reportedly is taking refuge in the Saudi Embassy in Tehran.

It has long been believed Iran has in custody a number of bin Laden's children, who fled Afghanistan in 2001 following the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

But Iran never confirmed it, and claimed to have been surprised to learn Eman, 17, was at the embassy.

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http://www.thestar.com/news/world/iran/article/780387--osama-bin-laden-s-son-calls-on-iran-to-release-detained-relatives