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Held British embassy staff face trial says Iranian cleric

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Published Date: 04 July 2009
By MICHAEL THEODOULOU
AN INFLUENTIAL Iranian cleric yesterday accused Britain of plotting a "velvet revolution" in the Islamic Republic and proclaimed that UK embassy staff detained for allegedly fomenting post-election street unrest will be forced to stand trial.
Addressing thousands of worshippers at Friday prayers in Tehran – broadcast on national television – Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati claimed Britain "had designed a velvet revolution in March, they said that street riots were possible during the June elections. These are signs … revealed by themselves".

He went on: "In these incidents, their (Britain's] embassy had a presence, some people were arrested. Naturally they will be put on trial, they have made confessions." He did not say how many local employees of the sprawling British embassy in Tehran would be tried or on what charges. London said seven of nine local staff detained by the Iranian authorities on 28 June have been released.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "We have noted the remarks by Ayatollah Jannati suggesting that some of our local staff in Iran may face trial. We are urgently seeking clarification from the appropriate Iranian authorities. I intend to speak to foreign minister Mottaki."

Jannati's rash new provocation against Britain was unexpected as it appears set to boomerang. It served to unite EU nations which immediately summoned Iranian ambassadors in their countries to protest against Tehran's antagonism of London. A day before, the EU had rejected UK and Czech calls to pull out all European ambassadors from Tehran.

The 27-member bloc as a whole has been keen to keep diplomatic channels with Iran open in the hope of rebooting long-stalled negotiations on Tehran's controversial nuclear programme.

But Iranian threats to stage a show trial of locally-employed British embassy staff will trigger a more aggressive EU stance.

Fredrik Reinfeldt, the prime minister of Sweden, which holds the union's presidency, said the EU must show "a united front" towards Iran over the detention of British embassy staff. Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, expressed "total solidarity with our British friends" over the crisis. "Now it is up to the British to tell us what they need," he said.

Jannati claimed some of those detained had "made confessions" in connection with Iran's biggest street demonstrations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Forced "confessions", often televised, have been a staple of past bids by Iranian hardliners to denigrate foreign "enemies".

Relations between Tehran and Britain were already very tense following tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions last week. But while Iran's relatively pragmatic foreign ministry said it had no intention of downgrading relations with Britain, Jannati's remarks suggested hardliners are setting the agenda.

Britain has denied any role in the chaos which followed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed re-election on 12 June.


Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 03 July 2009 9:36 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Iran
 
1

ukrefusenik,

camelon 04/07/2009 00:57:08
'cos obviously the british state doesnt have a proven , extremely well documented , track record , of running nests of spies in the british embassy of almost any state that displeases it or attracts the bullying ire of its overlord .
the prefix "political" as in political analyst , is a barely disguised euphemism for ( M I 6 ) intelligence operative .
i always wonder at the studied cupidity of the typical britnumbnut who says "but WE dont do that sort of stuff ",but are utterly convinced that , they ,the sinister foreigners , the others , do .
2

BROONISDOOMED,

PITS OF HELL 04/07/2009 01:35:42
and what about saddams confessions that he lied about WMD to scare the iranians,as he feared they would find iraqs weekness,he also stated that had he ,even had these chemical weapons,he would have used them on usa troops in the first gulf war
now its really looking as if bush and blair were really nothing more than murderers,killing worse than adolf for oil,whats next scotland invaded by the yanks to grab the oil for westminster?
yes i know far fetched just loke blair and bushes claims
and saddam was right about iran,they cant be trusted,even their president looks like satan
3

The Former Mr. Angry,

Perth 04/07/2009 08:55:43
Far from representing the "religion of peace" this rabble stoked up by Ayatollah Ahmad Janatti resembled more of a Nuremburg rally.

Sorry Ayatollah, you and your ilk will go the same way as previous dictators. BUT not because we in Britain say so - because your own more enlightened people do.
4

Sgian Achlais,

04/07/2009 10:13:22
This is highly complicated situation and we should be distancing ourselves from any involvement.

In the past Britain has a terrible record in Iran for subversive political interference. Most older Iranians remember previous puppet administrations.

Now the Great Satan USA does not have an embassy so do not be surprised if the British Embassy has many yanks employed. Also do not be surprised if we have been involved in a small way.

This revolution unlike previous has not been a top down military coup. It has been a spontaneous bottom up popular revolt from the young people using electronic media which the regime cannot block or control.

The regime is trying to make this a colonial struggle because the Iranians are very nationalistic and will rally in support of infidel interference.

We should stand back and not rise to the bait. What are we really going to do. Make a big noise and have UK ministers making speeches.

The best thing we can do is close embassy and remove target. The unrest will continue and they will have no one to blame.

Same as Afghanistan and Iraq. The only thing they hate more than their own inter faith factions is the infidel. We act as a uniting factor for the regimes.
5

Darien,

Panama 04/07/2009 10:16:20
No doubt some 'activity' on both sides, but sounds like perfidious albion up to her tricks again.

Why does the oddly named 'nation' UKofGB&NI need so many staff in this embassy? If nine were initially detained, how many are there in total?
6

Sgian Achlais,

04/07/2009 10:26:24
Another thing is BBC Persia channel. I have not seen it but I can only imagine it is as fair and balanced as the TV programmes we see in this country.

Why are we using UK money to make TV programmes in the wealthiest region in the world?

If their was no oil their would be no interest and we should be honest about the facts that big business is manipulating our governments to get involved and try to gain access.

We are no knights in shining Armour in the UK riding to the rescue but often knight with swords covered in blood riding to the profits.

Step back and let the highly educated and increasingly internationally aware Iranians solve their own problems in their own way in their own time.

Iran is run by old scared Islamic nut jobs of the Shia system. Many of their neighbours are Sunni and we should allow them to concentrate on each other. Remove the justification that the infidel is meddling by stopping the meddling. The whole middle eastern Islamic military focus is on fighting the infidel crusaders.

We withdraw some multinational corporations loose some money and the whole area calms down.

How does any country react to massive military build up on its borders.

If we withdraw from Saudi, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan they will have only muslims left. No infidels to blame.

Who ever is in control must still sell the oil or it is worthless. We are co dependent on the black gold until we secure renewable sources and at that point these desert despots will be back in the stone age and insignificant.

Why should we waste billions meddling when we can waste billions at home.
7

Griffe,

04/07/2009 10:32:41
If only we were that good. Iran is run by a bunch of liars, cheats who do anything to mislead their people.
8

Sgian Achlais,

04/07/2009 10:32:52
3The Former Mr. Angry, Perth 04/07/2009 08:55:43
Far from representing the "religion of peace" this rabble stoked up by Ayatollah Ahmad Janatti resembled more of a Nuremburg rally.

Sorry Ayatollah, you and your ilk will go the same way as previous dictators. BUT not because we in Britain say so - because your own more enlightened people do.


=====================================

Islam is the religion of peace in the same way new labour are Socialist.

Islam does not mean peace. It means "Submission" and through out its history it has been the mechanism of death, rape, butchery, enslavement, dictatorship, aggressive wars, terrorism, etc, etc.

The only peace in Islam is oppressive peace of a scared population.
9

Observer,,

Glasgow 04/07/2009 10:49:27
''Islam does not mean peace. It means "Submission" and through out its history it has been the mechanism of death, rape, butchery, enslavement, dictatorship, aggressive wars, terrorism, etc, etc.''

That can be said about any religion. The Roman Catholic Church poses more risk to me as an emancipated Western woman than Islam does.

The history of Western interference in the middle East has been a disaster. It is none of our business. We have done a great deal to encourage radical Islamisim, which is a reactionary political movement more than a religion, and we seem hell bent on carrying on with the same policy.

Of course we only interfere because they have oil. If suddenly ice became a valuable commodity we wouldn't want anything to do with them.
10

Dún Aenghus,

04/07/2009 11:56:57
#9 Why does the Catholic church pose a threat to you?
I take it that you are not a member,so why does it pose a threat to you?
11

Dún Aenghus,

04/07/2009 12:00:31
#9 People who make statements like" the Catholic church poses a threat to me" usually know absolutely nothing about the Catholic church and are usually parroting uneducated comments which they have heard over a few cans of cider, down at the local orange lodge.
12

Dún Aenghus,

04/07/2009 12:05:54
#9 " The Catholic church poses more of a risk to me as an emancipated Western woman than Islam does" ?

So! as a woman ,you would prefer an Islamic state to the Catholic church being in this country,is that what you are saying?
13

Ugly George,

Edinburgh 04/07/2009 12:19:55
5 Darien
"No doubt some 'activity' on both sides, but sounds like perfidious albion up to her tricks again."

Or could it be that the Iranian govt has picked on the British embassy as there is no US embassy in Iran?

14

Sgian Achlais,

04/07/2009 12:23:27
11Dún Aenghus, 04/07/2009 12:00:31
#9 People who make statements like" the Catholic church poses a threat to me" usually know absolutely nothing about the Catholic church and are usually parroting uneducated comments which they have heard over a few cans of cider, down at the local orange lodge.

=======================================

That's a little unfair. Observer I think was once a Catholic (Not sure) but she has many friends who are Muslims.

I also have Muslim friends but that is entirely different to liking Islam.

We can all be swayed by our experiences and historically the experience of Islam on nations where it spreads is peaceful in the beginning until the power balance shifts.

But where Observer is flawed in the comparison is that she is applying western ideas of religion to Islam which is a more scary political movement than the Nazi party.

I am atheist and have a gripe with all claimers of divine knowledge but I have been reading religious texts for over 20 years as a rather bring hobby.

Good people always see the good in others and sometimes fail to see the threat in a circumstance. On the other hand cynical people like me are often wrong about the level of threat. I hope she is right and I am wrong but it is best to be armed with the knowledge of the end game for religious zealots.
15

Sgian Achlais,

04/07/2009 12:28:43
13Ugly George, Edinburgh 04/07/2009 12:19:55
5 Darien
"No doubt some 'activity' on both sides, but sounds like perfidious albion up to her tricks again."

Or could it be that the Iranian govt has picked on the British embassy as there is no US embassy in Iran?

==================================

I was surprised they did not blame it on the Jews. I suppose because Israel is more likely to react to any provocation where as we will have Blair light making statements. He is not exactly a threatening character.

I expect there is a lot slightly American accents in the UK embassy which the Iranian people will not detect.
16

Mcsnagpile,

04/07/2009 12:28:45
It is very flattering to know that the UK has so much credibility in Iran that a couple of Embassy staff were able to organise hundreds of thousands of people onto revolt and threaten the Government. I would have thought the Iranian Government would have been too embarrassed to mention it. What they should be doing is sending delegates to the UK for lessons on foreign population control.
17

Sgian Achlais,

04/07/2009 12:42:30
#9 Observer,

As I ever I opt to disagree with you on this subject and suggest more further reading beneath the surface of Islamic teaching as carried out in the middle east and asia rather than the diluted version you see in Glasgow.

"Note the following quotes from prominent Muslims down through the centuries.

The prophet Muhammad in his farewell address in March 632 said: "I was ordered to fight all men until they say 'There is no god but Allah.'"

Saladin, who drove the Europeans out of Jerusalem in the 12th century, proclaimed in January 1189: "I shall cross this sea to their islands to pursue them until there remains no one on the face of the earth who does not acknowledge Allah."

More recently, note the words of the leader of the 1979 Iranian revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini: "We will export our revolution throughout the world… Until the calls 'there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah' are echoed all over the world."

Two months after Sept. 11, Osama bin Laden said: "I was ordered to fight the people until they say there is no god but Allah, and his prophet Muhammad."

Perhaps more chilling are the words expressed by seventh-century Byzantine officials in Egypt of the Arab invaders: "We have seen a people who love death more than life, and to whom this world holds not the slightest attraction" (quoted by Karsh, p. 23).This description was penned by people who represented the superpower of their day—the Eastern Roman Empire. The same words could be written of today's suicide bombers."

No other religion poses more threats to Western Culture and women in especial.

Islam is a backward death cult concocted from Judaism and Christianity bastardised by Bedouin tribal cultures.

18

IainGlasgow,

04/07/2009 13:13:58
This has Common Purpose written all over it.

http://acpscotland.wordpress.com/
19

Observer,,

Glasgow 04/07/2009 14:05:20
12 I'm not living in an Islamic state and nor am I ever likely to be. Muslims are no threat to me or my lifestyle. The Catholic Church on the other hand seek to directly intervene in legislation which passes through both the House of Commons and the Holyrood Parliament seeking to impose their own view of morality in relation to abortion, stem cell research, equalities legislation, contraception, and other issues.

If muslims attempt to do likewise I will take issue with them - but they don't.

17 Well, we'll just need to agree to disagree on this one I'm afraid.

20

danbob,

04/07/2009 16:10:50
19# I think you are wrong observer. The catholic church sticks it's oar in for sure. But it has no power anymore in this country. Britain as far as making political decisions based on christian principles is dead. However there is a new threat emerging. Islam is now not a religion based on godly principles. It is now largly political throughout the world. You dare not criticise islam in Britain for fear of being called racist. Since when has a religion been a race. We have moves for sharia law. we have positive discrimination based solely on the pretence it is for the good of race relations. It is happening. If you think there is no threat that's fine. I think the future will prove you wrong.
21

The Saltire,

04/07/2009 17:07:15
17

You are simply another biggoted moron. For every idiotic misplaced quote from the Quoran you can just as easily dig out 3 more from the bible which seems to advocate nothing else but the total and absolute destruction of all non Christians. Murder genocide and the total destruction of mankind are just a few of the examples of passages in the Bible. Get yourself a life and stop worrying about the day youll never see.
22

The Saltire,

04/07/2009 17:12:16
17

A bigger threat to the West is this sinister creeping right wing Christian extremist/Zionist cabal which seems to have a very unhealty influence on our governments and their foreign policies. Its no coincidence that since the fall of the terrible red hordes we now have this new terrible Islamic horde and creeping Islamic invasion of the West when in reality its the Western Christian/Zionist led armies which are invading Islamic nations and murdering them in their millions.
23

KampungHighlander,

Jakarta 04/07/2009 18:08:08
# 21 & 22

I would appreciate it if you did not use a moniker that associates you to my countries flag if you wish to post silly sectarian rubbish.

It is perfectly fine to spout that nonsense, which I have no doubt that you truly believe, but would it not be better with a moniker like "Red Flag" or "Hammer and Sickle".
24

The Saltire,

04/07/2009 18:22:20
23

What has the red flag or the hammer and sickle got to do with socialism? sweet fany adams sunshine I am a socialist not a supporter of right wind despodic regimes I thought that was obvious. I am also a Scot one who believes in Independence hence the Saltire moniker. If it offends you then tough titty.
Now what the f*kk are you going on about sectarian rubbish? We have prats posting anti Islamic garbage when in fact we are in the middle of several wars started by Christian/zionist extremists within Islamic lands. Sectarian it may sound like but rubbish it aint.
25

Observer,,

Glasgow 04/07/2009 19:13:41
20 I know it doesn't have any power danbob, and neither does Islam in this country. No one is imposing sharia law on any of us and nobody will. Much of the anti-Islamic feeling in this country is stoked by the tabloid press who tell you all these things about muslims that aren't actually true.

Jews, Christians, and Muslims all claim descent from Abraham. They are the people of the book. I do not know of any credible evidence whatsoever that says that the average muslim is any more of a threat to me and my Godless heathenish ways than the other two.

But you are right, extreme Islamism is politically motivated, perhaps we should stop motivating them ?
26

Darien,

Panama 04/07/2009 19:14:05
#9 Observer: "Of course we only interfere because they have oil."

Scotland has plenty of oil. Scotland does not need to interfere.

#19 Observer: "seek to directly intervene in legislation which passes through both the House of Commons and the Holyrood Parliament ...in relation to abortion, stem cell research, equalities legislation, contraception, and other issues

Don't forget homosexuality. Westminster is full of them so maybe they have a vested interest in pushing things their way? Hardly on the manifestos that, was it?

#24 The Saltire: "I am a socialist.."

Yeah, sure you are. Most of us were, once upon a time.
27

Observer,,

Glasgow 04/07/2009 19:17:46
24 Bloody weird isn't it. After all the death and destruction and general havoc we have wreaked in Islamic lands in support of the good ol' USA and the oil (always the oil), and Islam is a threat to us ? I think some folks have got this whole thing ass over elbow.
28

The Saltire,

04/07/2009 20:17:02
27

Its because there seems to be a media campaign pushing an anti islamic agenda. When you have gits like Rupert Murdoch controlling so much of the media outlets as well as other influencial individuals then the news is going to be tainted and selective. There is no free press as this rag demonstrates every day. It seems to be pro zionist and anti islamic and is very disturbing and sinister. We are involved in 2 wars on agendas which dont fit in with the needs or wants of the UK that should tell you something. Who is benefitting from these wars? who is reaping the rewards and who is paying the price?
29

The Saltire,

04/07/2009 20:19:21
26

I doubt if you even know what a socialist is or can even define socialism
30

Ibrox Champion,

04/07/2009 21:05:13
#19 Observer.
The Catholic church or any other church for that matter,cannot change legislation passing through parliament,but all of these churches have a right to voice their opinion in relation to faith and morals. If we attempt to take that away,then we are all on the slippery slope to.........Well! you tell me?
Without their in-put into society,we would all be the poorer.
31

Dún Aenghus,

04/07/2009 21:21:19
#20 danbob.....
You are a noted sectarian anti-Catholic bigot.As far as I am concerned,you have nothing to offer this thread.
32

Dún Aenghus,

04/07/2009 21:23:41
#14 Sgian...... I can tell by your post that you are a decent human being. Maybe you could teach us Christians a thing or two.

Well done!
33

DD ex-SNP voter,

04/07/2009 22:09:44
It is supposedly in our warped national interest so I would be very surprised if the British embassy was not involved in promoting regime change in Iran, and we can hardly complain if they do arrest and try people even if the charges are trumped up. Its not like it doesnt happen here.
34

Observer,,

Glasgow 04/07/2009 22:21:02
30 Grrrr. I made the point as a counter to another poster who claimed that Islam as a religion was a threat. Well no it isn't, not more than any other religion. I have no issue with the Catholic Church making their views known, I was trying to make the point that singling out any one religion was wrong.

I obviously didn't explain that very well and I apologise unreservedly for any offence I caused.
35

Dún Aenghus,

04/07/2009 23:32:24
34 Yes,
I know where you are coming from. You started away trying to explain to us that the Catholic church was anti-woman.We know that is not true,because,no other church in Christiandom venerates a woman in a way the Catholic church does,ie the mother of Christ.
So!what are you taking about? By the way,you did not mention any other religion, only the Catholic religion. Why?
36

ukrefusenik,

camelon 05/07/2009 11:22:26
we start out talking about the "political analyst" who has been discovered as a british spy and is now facing the consequences of those pursuits in the legally competent court system of The Islamic Republic of Iran , now we are bogged down in catholic /orangey nonsense . i blame Observer who tried to bring some wider context to the proceedings , and invited bigots to contribute to a disscussion of the british states widely acknowledged and well documented involvement in subverting democracy in almost every corner of the world .
37

ukrefusenik,

camelon 05/07/2009 11:34:07
if we must bring religion into this , it reminds me of the two atheists talking of their shared disbelief . whilst one enumerates , the floods,war,famine ,starving children , etc. with the vitriol that such instances illuminates the lack of a personally engaged deity , he notices the other atheist sobbing in distress , the second non believer tearfully upbraids him "that's not the God i don't believe in , the God i don't believe in is a good God , a kind God .
38

Rosie McGlone,

19/07/2009 15:49:29
Here's trouble.

 

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