FCO calls for release of Iranian opposition figures
FCO calls for release of Iranian opposition figures
Fri 15 02 2013
Alistair Burt calls for release of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who have spent two years under house arrest in Iran. Speaking today, Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt, said: “This week marks two years of the continued house arrest of Iranian opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi. Both leaders have been cut off from the outside world and their close family members, and have suffered from deteriorating health. “Mousavi’s two daughters and one of Karroubi’s sons were detained for questioning on 11 February without clear justification. They are reported to have been subject to constant harassment and intimidation by the Iranian authorities. “These actions demonstrate a cynical attempt to suppress opposition figures and their families in defiance of Iran’s obligations under international law. Once again, I call on Iran to release Mousavi and Karroubi and to respect the rights of all Iranian citizens to freedom of movement and expression.”