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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Detention of UK's ambassador to Tehran (released an hour later)
2020-01-12
[Twitter]


I understand Rob Macaire, the UK's Ambassador to Tehran, today [Saturday] visited what was billed as a vigil in Tehran for victims of #Flight 752. It quickly became clear it was more of an anti-government protest than a vigil. As soon as this became apparent he left

The UK ambassador -
@HMATehran
- then popped into a barbers for a haircut en route back to embassy. That was where he was arrested (while in barbers).
Reports he had been taking photographs of the protests are untrue, a source said
The UK's Rob Macaire was held by the Iranians for about 2 hours for questioning. Cue frantic phone calls between London & Tehran. He was finally released and is now safely back home.

Britain's
@DominicRaab
says detention of UK's ambassador to Tehran "without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law"
I believe it is an act of war — yet another in Iran’s recent series. I wonder how they will end up humiliated by this one?

Strategic Sentinel: Iranian regime arrested the British ambassador to Iran
[TWITTER]

Al Arabiya: British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says the arrest of UK Ambassador to Tehran Rob Macaire is a ‘flagrant breach of international law’
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]

Britain's ambassador to Iran is ARRESTED for 'inciting' protesters in Tehran during clashes with riot police

[Daily Mail - Where America gets its news]
  • UK Ambassador to Iran Rob Macaire arrested tonight in Tehran for allegedly 'directing radical actions'

  • Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab hit out at Iran over the 'flagrant violation of international law'

  • Demanded that the country make a choice between becoming a 'pariah' state or to 'deescalate tensions'

  • Protests broke out at four universities in Tehran on Saturday after admitting accidentally downing plane

  • Angry crowds demanded the Ayatollah's resignation and full investigation into the disaster

  • But regime forces cracked down hard on the demonstrators, firing tear gas into the crowds

  • Donald Trump has tweeted his support for 'long-suffering' Iranians, saying his administration is on their side

The Foreign Office has hit out at Iran for a 'flagrant violation of international law' after the UK ambassador to the country was arrested during a protest in the capital Tehran.

Diplomat Rob Macaire was present during demonstrations against Ayatollah Khamenei in front of Tehran’s Amir Kabir University and was arrested after allegedly 'organising, provoking and directing radical actions', according to local reports.

Thousands had gathered to demand the supreme leader's resignation after his regime admitted it had mistakenly shot down a civilian passenger plane during retaliation against the US' assassination of Qasem Soleimani.

Mr Macaire, a diplomat with 30 years experience, was released following more than an hour in detention.

In a strongly worded statement, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab warned Iran that it needed to make a choice between becoming a 'pariah' state or to 'deescalate tensions' with the west.

'The arrest of our Ambassador in Tehran without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law. The Iranian government is at a cross-roads moment,' said Mr Raab.
Posted by:3dc

#7  Savages. An embarrassment to Persians everywhere.
Posted by: Lex   2020-01-12 21:12  

#6  "Alexei Mahmood, you shot down *another* airliner?"
Posted by: SteveS   2020-01-12 19:43  

#5  They'll shoot down another airliner to rebuild their self esteem
Posted by: Regular joe   2020-01-12 19:41  

#4  Nothing that a few shipments of dual use stuff can't smooth over.
Posted by: M. Murcek   2020-01-12 12:08  

#3  Old habits die hard
Posted by: European Conservative   2020-01-12 07:47  

#2  Iran not following or respecting International Law? Get outta here!
Posted by: Frank G   2020-01-12 07:37  

#1  The arresting officers pobably didn't know who he was at first. Just goes to show what they would do to Westerners who didn't enjoy the privileges of diplomatic protection.
Posted by: gorb   2020-01-12 01:24  

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