Pakistani television anchor and marathon runner Mona Khan has been released from custody in Athens following diplomatic intervention by the Pakistani Embassy.
The Foreign Office of Pakistan was actively involved in addressing her detention, facilitating consular access shortly after her arrest in Greece.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for the Foreign Office, confirmed that the Pakistani Embassy promptly contacted Greek authorities to inquire about Khan’s arrest and to request consular access. The Greek authorities responded by granting access, allowing embassy officials to visit Khan in detention.
Mona Khan, who is also an anchor for a state TV channel, was travelling in Greece with her son and was arrested during a hiking trip for displaying a Pakistani flag and another flag bearing the Islamic creed. Her coach, Mohammad Yusuf, reported that Greek police detained her and confiscated her phone during the incident.
An audio clip allegedly from Khan also emerged amidst these events, where she described the circumstances of her arrest at a hikers’ gathering in Greece. She claimed police detained her after confirming her intention to display the Pakistani flag, subsequently alleging mistreatment by the authorities.
This incident has drawn significant attention, highlighting the complexities international travellers face and the diplomatic efforts required to support nationals abroad.
