Paris - France paid "around 200,000 euros" (284,000 dollars) in bail for the release of a French citizen from prison in Tehran, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told broadcaster LCI on Monday.

Released on Sunday, Clotilde Reiss was in prison for six weeks on espionage charges related to the unrest in the wake of the country's disputed June presidential elections. She must however remain in Iran until the case against her concludes.

She was arrested July 1 at Tehran's airport, shortly before her planned departure.

The French government on Monday continued its calls for all espionage charges to be dropped against her, the woman's father said earlier.

"We are very happy," said Remi Reiss, who also was able to talk to his daughter, Clotilde, after her release.

"This is a huge step for us. Now we will do everything possible to see that she is ultimately set free," he told broadcaster France Info.

Remi Reiss had spoken with French President Nicolas Sarkozy Sunday.

Sarkozy telephoned with Clotilde Reiss on Sunday. During the call, she told him she was in good health. Sarkozy also thanked the European Union and Syria for their support in mediating her release.

Foreign Minister Kouchner earlier said he was optimistic that Clotilde Reiss could soon leave the country. Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad, is expected to visit Tehran this week.

Iran's government has charged that Reiss committed espionage after she participated in the protests against the June 12 re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In addition, she is charged with having sent a report to the French embassy.

Sarkozy also demanded that the case against a French-Iranian employee of the embassy, Nazak Afshar, be dropped as soon as possible. There was no justification for case against either woman, the Elysee Palace said.

Afshar was released from prison on Tuesday last week, also on bail.(dpa)