Iran summons Swedish envoy over ‘improper’ statements by officials

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Swedish ambassador in Tehran in protest against "improper" anti-Iran statements made by the country's officials, Report informs via IRNA.

Shahram Ghazizadeh, the head of the Third Western Europe Department lodged an official protest with Mathias Otterstedt over the statements and interventionist stance of some officials, including the Swedish Minister of Education.

According to the ministry's statement, Ghazizadeh conveyed to the Swedish envoy that such statements are contrary to international law and diplomatic norms and that the Swedish government is not in a position to question the performance of another country's legal institutions by defending a convict, whose crimes have been conclusively proven.

The official also requested an update on the case related to Niloofar Zare, an Iranian national who was recently assassinated in Sweden.

The Swedish ambassador stated that he would convey the matters to his respective government.

Last Friday, the Swedish Foreign Ministry had summoned the Iranian ambassador to request the release of a Swedish-Iranian national imprisoned in Iran over spying charges.

The ministry claimed that the Iranian envoy was summoned over what it called “worrying signals” about the health of Ahmadreza Djalali who has been in jail since 2016 and sentenced to death.

According to AFP, the ministry demanded the release of Djalali so that he could join his family and get medical care.