Khartoum, Sudan ? Sudan’s president agreed Friday to release American journalist Paul Salopek after meeting with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

Richardson said he will pick up the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the Chicago Tribune, his Chadian driver and his interpreter in the war-torn Darfur region today. The three were arrested there on charges of espionage.

Salopek, who has a home in New Mexico, was on assignment for National Geographic magazine when he was arrested last month and accused of passing information illegally, writing “false news” and entering the African country without a visa. His trial was set to begin Sunday.

The Sudanese government confirmed the release without additional comment.