Dpa confirms arrest of German embassy staffers in Iran

Iran's Intelligence Ministry on Wednesday declared that it has found evidence that German diplomats played a role in last month's "counterrevolutionary riots" in Tehran.

"Anti-Islamic Revolution agents, networks backed by Western intelligence services" and those who seek to promote sedition in the country had planned the Ashura riots in advance, ISNA quoted a deputy intelligence minister as saying.

The anti-government protests on December 27 coincided with Ashura mourning ceremonies.

The intelligence ministry had earlier said two German embassy staffers, involved in the riots, were detained.

According to the ministry, the German embassy staffers had set up a network comprising of young Iranians to collect information on events in Iran. The Germans were later released after their identities were confirmed.

The deputy intelligence minister also pointed out that Iran will lodge a protest against the move.

Meanwhile, the German foreign minister has rejected the accusations of the diplomats' involvement in the riots.

"We deny the allegations that German diplomats played a role in last month's anti-revolution riots in Tehran," DPA quoted Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle as saying on Wednesday.

/Press TV/