Baghdad kidnapping of Iranian diplomat (February 2007)

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Armed gunmen kidnapped Jalal Sharafi, the second secretary of the Iranian embassy, as he drove through Karrada district in central Baghdad, Iraq on 6 February 2007. The gunmen wore uniforms of the Iraqi 36th Commando Battalion uniforms.[1] - a special Iraqi unit under U.S. direction. The U.S. military denied any involvement in the kidnapping.[2][1] After his release on April 3, the diplomat reported he was severely tortured by CIA operatives. The U.S. government denies that they had involvement in the kidnapping and torture of Sharifi.[3][4]

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[edit] Background

The event happened amid U.S.-Iranian tension over alleged Iranian activities in Iraq. In December 2006, US forces detained several Iranians in Iraq who were suspected by the Americans of planning attacks. Iran said two were diplomats, and they were later freed. On 2007-01-10, U.S. President Bush stated in a major speech that he will take a tough stance on Iran, whom he accuses of destabilising Iraq. On 2007-01-11 US troops in Irbil raided a building Iran said was a consulate, arresting five men. On 2007-01-18 Iran demanded the release of the five Iranians claimed as diplomats. The U.S. government says they are Revolutionary Guardsmen arming Shi'a Iraqi fighters.[1]

[edit] Response

[edit] Iran

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said, "elements related to the Iraqi defence ministry who are known to be under U.S. control" were responsible for the kidnapping and the U.S. government has "violated all international and diplomatic norms by launching such operations which will in general have negative impacts on diplomatic norms around the world."[5]

They also killed an Iranian citizen who escorted the diplomat. Iran said it held the United States responsible for the diplomats "safety and life." Iran harshly condemned the kidnapping of an Iranian diplomat as a "terrorist act."[5]

[edit] France

The French Foreign Ministry said in a statement, "We learned with concern about the kidnapping of a member of the Iranian embassy in Baghdad. We condemn this unacceptable act."[6]

[edit] Release

On April 3, 2007, almost two months after Sharafi was taken, Iranian news agencies reported his release.[7] This has been linked with the simultaneous release by Iran of the 15 British sailors who had been arrested for allegedly entering Iranian territorial waters.

After his release, Sharafi reported severe torture, stating he was subjected to different forms of torture day and night while being kept in a CIA base, in order for him to confess to Iran's "presence and influence in Iraq". He stated: "I explained I was unable to do anything outside my legal responsibilities ... Later, they released me under pressure from Iraqi government officials. They dropped me near the back of the airport." The U.S. government responded by claiming that the CIA "does not conduct or condone torture."[4][3]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Iran envoy 'abducted in Baghdad' BBC News
  2. ^ US denies involvement in kidnapping of Iranian diplomat CCTV International
  3. ^ a b US denies torturing Iranian diplomat - AFP
  4. ^ a b U.S. denies Iranian claim of CIA torture - Associated Press
  5. ^ a b Iran harshly condemns kidnapping of diplomat, blames US Playfuls
  6. ^ France condemns kidnapping of Iranian diplomat in Iraq Kuwait News Agency
  7. ^ Iranian diplomat seized in Iraq released ABC News International

[edit] External links

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