An informed source told Tasnim on Wednesday that the conviction has been upheld by the court of appeals, and the ex-negotiator will be put behind bars for five years on a charge of espionage.

The news of arrest of the former member of the negotiating team was first announced by the Judiciary spokesperson in August 2016.

The suspect, described by the Judiciary spokesman as a spy who had infiltrated into the nuclear team, was initially released on bail, but now has to serve a five-year prison term.