A Weston man who was taken prisoner in Iran five years ago could be returned home as early as next week as part of a prisoner swap deal between the U.S. and Iran that progressed this week.

Conservationist Morad Tahbaz, who was captured and detained while researching in Iran, has been accused of espionage.

Rep. Jim Himes sits on the House Intelligence Committee and called those charges “completely bogus.” He spoke with Tahbaz’s family every week over the past five years.

Tahbaz’s expected return is due to a deal struck by the Biden administration with Iran. Each nation will exchange five prisoners with Iran also receiving $6 billion in frozen funds.

Himes says it’s Iranian money, not a ransom payment, meaning there isn’t a risk.

“You do worry that a successful deal will result in the possibility of more incentive for people to take hostages. So, these things are not free. But again, for somebody who has represented a terribly, terribly tortured family for five years now, it’s on balance a very happy thing,” said Himes.