Britain’s ambassador to Iran, Rob Macaire, whose arrest in London on Saturday (January 11) denounced Tehran, on Sunday denied taking part in any demonstration against the authorities, as reported by some Iranian media.
"I can confirm that I did not take part in any demonstration, he wrote on Twitter in the morning. I went to an event advertised as a vigil for the victims ” of the crash of Ukrainian Airlines flight PS752, which was shot down near Tehran on Wednesday by an Iranian missile.
Thanks for the many goodwill messages. Can confirm I wasn’t taking part in any demonstrations! Went to an event adv… https://t.co/G5teyR1TTk
Iran admitted in the afternoon that it briefly arrested Mr. Macaire the day before after this ceremony in memory of the victims of the Boeing crash, which she described as "Illegal gathering".
Saturday, the Islamic Republic recognized his responsibility in this disaster in which 176 people died and which caused a wave of indignation in Iran, after the denials opposed until now by the authorities to the thesis of the missile.
It is "Normal to want to pay a tribute", writes Rob Macaire, especially as "Some victims were British". "I left five minutes after some people started to put up slogans (against the authorities), "he said, still on Twitter, in messages written in English and Farsi.
"Flagrant violation of international law"
British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab announced on Saturday evening, without further details, that Rob Macair had been arrested. "The arrest of our ambassador in Tehran without foundation or explanation is a gross violation of international law", he said.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister confirmed on Sunday that his country had briefly arrested the British ambassador. "He was not detained, but arrested as an unidentified alien in an illegal rally"Abbas Araghchi wrote on Twitter, adding that Rob Macaire was released after 15 minutes after confirming his identity.
Iranian police dispersed students chanting slogans outside Amir Kabir University in Tehran on Saturday evening "Destructive" and "Radicals" at a rally in memory of the crash victims, according to Fars, an agency close to the ultraconservatives.
AFP journalists said the rally had turned into anger. The crowd launched slogans denouncing " liars " and demanding prosecution of those responsible for the tragedy and those who, according to the demonstrators, attempted to cover it.
