Mission Condemns Albanian Police’s Vandalism
UNITED NATIONS (Dispatches) -- Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations has condemned the inappropriate conduct of Albania’s police forces after they forcibly broke into the Iranian embassy and surrounded the compound following the severance of ties between the two countries.
In a letter to Permanent Mission of the Republic of Albania to the UN, the Iranian mission stated the Islamic Republic vehemently censures the violent actions of the Albanian police against its diplomatic and consular facilities in the capital Tirana on September 8, and their unauthorized entry into the embassy without the permission of competent Iranian authorities.
“Such acts of violence were carried out following the Albanian government’s decision on September 7 to unilaterally sever bilateral diplomatic relations [with Iran], which was taken on the basis of unfounded and politically-motivated claims that were categorically rejected by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” read the letter, a copy of which was also sent to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran calls upon the Albanian government to strictly observe and implement all the principles and rules of international law concerning diplomatic and consular relations, and to act in accordance with the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and 1963 and the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly as regards the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular compounds.”
The letter also called on the Albanian government to take all necessary measures to fully investigate the unlawful act against the Iranian embassy and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to use other means to peacefully resolve disputes
regarding the violations committed against its diplomatic and consular facilities in Tirana,” it said.
Albania’s special police forces, wearing masks and helmets and carrying automatic rifles, were said to have violated the compound of Iran’s diplomatic mission after two cars with diplomatic plates had left.
The reports said the Albanian police were inside the diplomatic mission for 30 minutes and searched the building which still flew the Iranian flag.
Albania’s special police forces, wearing masks and helmets and carrying automatic rifles, were said to have violated the compound of Iran’s diplomatic mission after two cars with diplomatic plates had left.
The reports said the Albanian police were inside the diplomatic mission for 30 minutes and searched the building which still flew the Iranian flag.