Iran kidnappers want swap for Japanese hostage

Tehran: The kidnappers of a Japanese tourist in Iran want their jailed relative released in exchange for the hostage's freedom, the police chief said.

Satoshi Nakamura was abducted in October as he headed to the ancient citadel of Bam in the Kerman province on the border with Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Nakamura is reportedly being held outside Iran. The foreign ministry has said Iran is trying to secure his release.

A bandit called Esmail Shahbakhsh wants the release of his arrested son in exchange for Nakamura, according to Iranian officials.

"The kidnappers have demanded the release of a relative who has been sentenced to death," The Tehran Emrouz newspaper quoted police chief Mohammad Reza Eshaghi as saying.