This is “unacceptable”, criticizes the European Union. Brussels denounced this Thursday the death sentence of a German-Iranian national detained in Iran. The EU also denounced the multiplication of arrests of European nationals in this country for “false reasons”. “The European Union (EU) condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable death sentence of Jamshid Sharmahd, who has dual German-Iranian nationality, detained in Iran,” said Nabila Massrali, spokesperson for the head of the European diplomacy Josep Borrell.
“The growing number of EU citizens currently detained by Iran on spurious grounds is of great concern,” she added. “Consular access must be granted” to European detainees, insisted the spokesperson. “We are in close contact with the German authorities. We will do our utmost to advocate for judicial review with full respect for due process rights and the right of appeal,” she said.
Seventeen Westerners detained in Iran
“We recall once again the firm opposition of the EU to the application of the death penalty in all circumstances. It is a cruel and inhuman punishment”. Jamshid Sharmahd, 67, was kidnapped and forcibly taken to Iran, according to his relatives, for his alleged involvement in a 2008 attack on a mosque in Shiraz, southern Iran, which left 14 dead.
The Islamic Republic retains at least 17 Western passport holders, most of whom are dual nationals: five French, one Belgian, two Germans, one British, four Americans, two Austrians and two Swedes. A sixth Frenchman is detained but his identity and the circumstances of his arrest have never been made public.