TEHRAN, Aug 15 (Reuters) - A Belgian man kidnapped by bandits in southeast Iran was released on Wednesday, an Iranian news agency reported, following the earlier release of his female partner.

"By the efforts of the security forces, the man was released tonight (Wednesday)," Fars News Agency reported, quoting an "informed source" from the Kerman provincial office near where the pair had been taken.

The Belgians were kidnapped on Sunday by a group led by a man named Ismael Shahbakhsh, who had demanded his jailed brother be freed in return for their release, Iranian officials had said. It was not clear if Shahbakhsh's demand was met.

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