Today.Az » Politics » Iranian ambassador denies death cases during the protest rallies in Iran
24 May 2006 [20:49] - Today.Az
"The newspaper 'Iran' wrote a story and published a caricature which caused dissatisfaction of Iranian Azerbaijanis and they reacted to this naturally. I must say this caricature was a mistake.

This issue is being investigated in legal framework. As far as I know, the newspaper 'Iran' has been closed. The journalist, author of this article has been detained. No one has died related to these events. Such reports are false," Iran's ambassador in Azerbaijan Afshar Suleymani told a news conference today with regard to the recent tense situation caused by the protest actions held by Azerbaijanis in Iran.

According to APA, the ambassador said that the state implements its duty in this case. Mr.Suleymani considers our compatriots living in Iran are right in protesting against the caricature.

"It is their natural right to protest. However, some of them attempted to make a stir under the influence of several other foreign factors," the ambassador noted.

Suleymani noted that the issue has been considered officially. Iranian National Islamic Board criticized the event and stressed that all the nations in Iran have equal rights.
"As far as I know, our culture minister is impeached for this event for that why he did not prevent this," the ambassador said.

The Iranian ambassador also noted that the similar events occurred in southern Iran-Khuzistan not long ago, "foreign influence stirred that event."

The Iranian ambassador also noted the detained are those who burnt banks and broke windows during the recent protests, "Tabriz prosecutor even said to the protesters that he supports them. He told that those who burnt banks and broke windows will be arrested. None of those making a stir have been detained yet. 50 of some ten thousand protesters have been detained. There exists democracy in Iran, everyone can demand his right," he noted.

The ambassador also said that the state flag of Iran was insulted outside the Embassy yesterday and noted that there are forces in both countries who are trying to make a stir. The ambassador made a call to Azerbaijani Interior and Foreign Ministries demanding them to take an action about this case.

"US supporters are sponsoring them. Anyway, the United States has declared that it allocates $75 million. The US realizes that Iran's position bases on the international law, and it is supported by a lot of states. Therefore, the United States tries to create a stir in some parts of the country. I must remind that Zbignev Bzejinski also says the US is on wrong way," Suleymani stressed.



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