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Miliband's fury at sentence on Iranian working at UK embassy
Ed Harris29.10.09
Tensions between Britain and Iran rose sharply today after a senior employee at the British embassy in Tehran was given a four-year sentence for allegedly fomenting violence.
Hossein Rassam, an Iranian who worked as an analyst at the embassy, was arrested in June as the authorities in Tehran clamped down on massive street protests after the disputed presidential election.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband called Mr Rassam's sentencing "an attack against the entire diplomatic community in Iran" and said the Foreign Office had called in Iran's ambassador to London to protest.
Mr Miliband also urged Iranian authorities to overturn the "harsh" sentence, as relations between Britain and Iran plunged to a new low.
"Reports that Hossein Rassam has been sentenced to four years in prison are deeply concerning," Mr Miliband said. "Such a decision is wholly unjustified and represents further harassment of embassy staff for going about their normal and legitimate duties."
Mr Rassam, 44, is believed to have been sentenced in a closed courtroom this week. He was among nine local British embassy staff detained for alleged involvement in the unrest that followed the disputed June election that gave President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a second term.
He was the only one to be charged, and was put on trial alongside a employee of the French embassy and protesters angry at the results of the elections.
Tehran had accused Britain of stirring up opposition demonstrations and plotting to bring down the regime.
Mr Rassam remains on bail after his release from Evin prison in August. It was unclear today whether he will have to return to prison or stay on bail pending an appeal. He was today returning to Tehran to break the news of his sentence to his elderly mother, The Times reported. His wife and son are no longer in the country.
Mr Rassan was accused of "acting against national security" on behalf of the British government, a sweeping charge that covers any kind of political dissent. He has worked at the embassy since 2004.
Mr Miliband added: "We understand the sentence can be appealed. I urge the authorities to conduct this quickly and overturn this harsh sentence.
"This will be seen as an attack against the entire diplomatic community in Iran and important principles are at stake." Iran has historically been suspicious of British activities in the region, but relations have worsened in the past few years.
In March 2007, Iranian forces seized eight Royal Navy sailors and seven marines in Shatt al-Arab waterway, before freeing them 12 days later.
Soon after the June election, Britain expelled two Iranian diplomats after Iran forced two British diplomats to leave.
Reader views (8)
Milliband would of course condemn the Iranian decision. We know where his sympathies lie.
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK
No wonder Miliband wants to see Europe take over responsibility for our foreign affairs. He can see although not admit how pathetically stupid both he and the inept and humiliated FCO appear to the rest of the world at large. They regularly have rings run round them by the Iranians and most of the other Middle East countries. Just go boy and let someone who has some guts take over and take some of the 'Sir Ruperts/Nigels' with you.
- Nick Holland, glasgow
What's can he actually do to the Iranians ?
He can jolly well throw his banana at them.
So there.
- Minnie Ovens, London, UK
Miliband is wrong on most things. I've no doubt he's wrong on this as well.
- Frances A, Ealing, UK
Yet again silly milly proves he is a boy, trying to do a mans job.
A good for nothing lickspittle and sycophant.
- P Staker, London
Is little boy lost Miliband furious? Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Labour, what a pathetic weak government they are.
Election now!
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
More posturing from this wannabee EU child minister.
What's can he actually do to the Iranians ?
- Cap, London
Miliband, wake up. Close down the embassy and bring out our entire British worker. Then throw out all the Iranians in the uk. Give Israel the nod and leave it up to them. Stop pussy footing around before it gets worse.
- Lee, Hayes middlesex
