Journalist Soheil Asefi was released from jail this week after posting a 1,000 million rial [112,000 USD] bail. Asefi spent a total of 63 days in prison and more than 50 days in solitary confinement. Asefi’s bail was originally set at 3,000 million Rials, but according to Asefi’s mother, Nahid Kheirabi, it was reduced to 1,000 million Tials after “a lot of effort.”

Asefi was released at 6:30 on Saturday from Tehran’s Evin prison. He was arrested 63 days ago after he responded to a summons and appeared in court. Officers searched Asefi’s house prior to his arrest and confiscated his personal belongings including his computer, mobile phone, birth certificate, and passport.

A spokesperson for the Iranian judiciary, Ali Reza Jamshidi, announced after the arrest of Soheil Asefi and another journalist who worked with Roozonline, Farshad Ghorbanpour, that the two were accused of “publishing lies and articles against the regime and providing information to foreign websites.”

While in prison, Asefi’s parents wrote several letters to the country’s officials, insisting that their son is merely a journalist and asking for his release. On Asefi’s 45th day in prison, Tehran’s prosecutor general, Saeed Mortazavi, promised to Asefi’s mother that he would process Asefi’s case as soon as possible.

Soheil was unable to meet his mother while in prison, and met his father only twice for short periods of time. He was kept in solitary confinement and was transferred to the general ward only 11 days ago.

A special committee was created to follow up on Asefi’s release and disseminate information about his condition. Also, in an open letter titled “Release Iranian Youth,” 720 political activists called for the release of Soheil Asefi and other political prisoners.

Soheil has lost more than 20 pounds since his detention. His spirits are high but he needs time to come to terms with his prison experience.