Iranian security forces fire tear gas, detain British ambassador in protests over Ukrainian air disaster
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Security forces in Tehran detained British ambassador Rob Macaire briefly on Saturday night as protesters took to the street to condemn the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for shooting down a Ukrainian passenger jet on Wednesday, killing all 176 people aboard.
“During the gathering of some people outside Amirkabir university, the British ambassador who was present and attempted to organize, provoke and guide some radical actions … was detained for some hours,” the IRGC affiliated media outlet Tasnimnews reported on Saturday night.
The ambassador has since taken to Twitter to say he went to briefly participate in a vigil for victims of the air disaster, and was detained for half an hour.
Thanks for the many goodwill messages. Can confirm I wasn’t taking part in any demonstrations! Went to an event advertised as a vigil for victims of #PS752 tragedy. Normal to want to pay respects- some of victims were British. I left after 5 mins, when some started chanting.
— Rob Macaire (@HMATehran) January 12, 2020
"Arresting diplomats is of course illegal, in all countries," he added.
The UK Foreign Office condemned the arrest as a “flagrant violation of international law” in a Saturday night statement.
“The Iranian government is at a cross-roads moment. It can continue its march towards pariah status with all the political and economic isolation that entails, or take steps to deescalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards,” it added.
Iran is on a collision course with the US after a late December attack by Iran-backed militias in Iraq which killed an American contractor, followed by the US retaliation which killed scores of militiamen. An attack on the US embassy in Baghdad was then followed by the killing of IRGC General Qasem Soleimani and nine companions.
The Iranian authorities admitted on Saturday morning that the IRGC was responsible for shooting down the Kiev-bound airliner on Wednesday, after previous claims of mechanical failure.
Following the news, people took to streets across Iran chanting against the IRGC and describing the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the slain Quds force commander Qasem Soleimani as murderers.
“[The] incompetent IRGC is a disgrace for the nation,” students at the University of Abu Ali Sina in the western city of Hamedan shouted. “[Qasem] Soleimani is a murderer ... his leader is also a murderer,” people chanted outside Tehran University.
Riot police attempted to disperse the protesters in Tehran with tear gas but the anger and frustration of the people was palpable across the country following three days of misinformation from Iranian authorities.
President Donald Trump took to Twitter in Persian to offer his solidarity with the protesters.
To the brave, long-suffering people of Iran: I've stood with you since the beginning of my Presidency, and my Administration will continue to stand with you. We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2020
“The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people,” he added.
Morgan Ortagus, the US State Department spokesperson called on Iran to apologise to the UK and “to respect the rights of all diplomats.”
The protests on Saturday night come less than two months after the security forces killed at least 500 people during the mid-November nationwide protests over the 300% rise in price of fuel.
Updated 11:34 am