Three Iranian consulates in Germany shut after execution of abducted Iranian-German prisoner
Germany on Thursday ordered the shutdown of three Iranian consulates in Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich following the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a German-Iranian prisoner, by Iranian authorities.
Sharmahd was allegedly abducted by Iranian security forces in Dubai in 2020 and was executed in Iran on Monday after being convicted of terrorism.
The closures announced by foreign minister Annalena Baerbock leaves Iran with only one embassy left in Berlin. Earlier in the week, Germany had summoned Iran's chargé d'affaires to formally object to Sharmahd's execution. German Ambassador to Iran also lodged a protest with Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi before being recalled to Berlin for further consultations.
Jamshid Sharmahd was among several Iranian dissidents who, in recent years, were either deceived or abducted and brought back to Iran.
Iran accused Sharmahd, who resided in Glendora, California, of orchestrating a 2008 attack on a mosque that resulted in 14 deaths—including five women and a child—and over 200 injuries. He also allegedly plotted other attacks throughout Iran and against its militant wing, Tondar. Additionally, they claimed he disclosed classified information about Revolutionary Guard missile sites during a 2017 television appearance.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also condemned the incident and said that "the execution of a European citizen is seriously harming relations between Iran and the European Union."
"In view of this appalling development, the European Union will now consider targeted and significant measures," he was quoted as telling by news agency AP.
In 2020, Jamshid Sharmahd was in Dubai attempting to travel to India for a business deal related to his software company. Despite disruptions to global travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was hoping to secure a connecting flight. He then had reportedly moved southward from Dubai to Al Ain on July 29, eventually crossing into Oman.
( with input from agency)
Sharmahd was allegedly abducted by Iranian security forces in Dubai in 2020 and was executed in Iran on Monday after being convicted of terrorism.
The closures announced by foreign minister Annalena Baerbock leaves Iran with only one embassy left in Berlin. Earlier in the week, Germany had summoned Iran's chargé d'affaires to formally object to Sharmahd's execution. German Ambassador to Iran also lodged a protest with Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi before being recalled to Berlin for further consultations.
Jamshid Sharmahd was among several Iranian dissidents who, in recent years, were either deceived or abducted and brought back to Iran.
Iran accused Sharmahd, who resided in Glendora, California, of orchestrating a 2008 attack on a mosque that resulted in 14 deaths—including five women and a child—and over 200 injuries. He also allegedly plotted other attacks throughout Iran and against its militant wing, Tondar. Additionally, they claimed he disclosed classified information about Revolutionary Guard missile sites during a 2017 television appearance.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also condemned the incident and said that "the execution of a European citizen is seriously harming relations between Iran and the European Union."
"In view of this appalling development, the European Union will now consider targeted and significant measures," he was quoted as telling by news agency AP.
In 2020, Jamshid Sharmahd was in Dubai attempting to travel to India for a business deal related to his software company. Despite disruptions to global travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was hoping to secure a connecting flight. He then had reportedly moved southward from Dubai to Al Ain on July 29, eventually crossing into Oman.
( with input from agency)
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