An Al Jazeera television journalist who has been detained in Syria for almost two weeks may have been released, the company has said.
Dorothy Parvaz, 39, who spent part of her childhood in Dubai in the early 1980s, is said to have been deported to Iran, of which she has citizenship.
"We have now received information that she is being held in Tehran," said a spokesman for the Doha-based channel.
"We are calling for information from the Iranian authorities, access to Dorothy, and for her immediate release.
"We have had no contact with Dorothy since she left Doha on April 29 and we are deeply concerned for her welfare."
Parvaz, who was sent to cover the unrest in Syria, was believed to have been detained soon after landing in Damascus. The Syrian government had confirmed only that she was in custody.
"Dorothy is a dearly loved daughter, sister and fiancée, and a committed journalist," read a statement from her family, released through Al Jazeera.
"It is now nearly two weeks since she was detained. We appeal once again for Dorothy to be released immediately and returned to us."
Parvaz has Canadian, American and Iranian citizenship. Last week, Ali Akbar Salehi, the Iranian foreign minister, expressed concern over her welfare.
"I hope that it is not true, but if that is the case, then we demand the government of Syria to look into this," he told the Iranian television station IRIB.
