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Denmark accuses Iran of activist murder plot | Denmark accuses Iran of activist murder plot |
(35 minutes later) | |
Denmark has accused Iran's intelligence agencies of planning to assassinate an Iranian activist on Danish soil. | Denmark has accused Iran's intelligence agencies of planning to assassinate an Iranian activist on Danish soil. |
The target was believed to be a member of an Arab separatist movement, Denmark's intelligence service said. | The target was believed to be a member of an Arab separatist movement, Denmark's intelligence service said. |
Denmark has recalled its ambassador from Tehran and is consulting other EU countries about imposing new sanctions against Iran. | |
A massive police operation in Denmark last month linked to the case led to the bridge to Sweden being closed. | A massive police operation in Denmark last month linked to the case led to the bridge to Sweden being closed. |
Iran has dismissed Denmark's allegations. | |
What is Iran accused of? | |
Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen described the alleged planned assassination by Iran of an exiled separatist leader in Denmark as "totally unacceptable" | |
The Iranian ambassador to Copenhagen was summoned to the foreign ministry over the allegations. | |
A Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin was arrested in Sweden on 21 October in connection with the alleged plan. The man denies the charges. | A Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin was arrested in Sweden on 21 October in connection with the alleged plan. The man denies the charges. |
Authorities conducted a massive manhunt on 28 September which led to road closures, trains and ferries being cancelled, and bridges being shut across Denmark. | Authorities conducted a massive manhunt on 28 September which led to road closures, trains and ferries being cancelled, and bridges being shut across Denmark. |
On Tuesday, Danish intelligence chief Finn Borch Andersen confirmed the measures had been taken to prevent the alleged plot. | On Tuesday, Danish intelligence chief Finn Borch Andersen confirmed the measures had been taken to prevent the alleged plot. |
The alleged target was meant to be a senior member of the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz (ASMLA), Mr Andersen said. The group seeks a separate state for ethnic Arabs in a region of western Iran. | The alleged target was meant to be a senior member of the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz (ASMLA), Mr Andersen said. The group seeks a separate state for ethnic Arabs in a region of western Iran. |
The Norwegian suspect had been observed photographing the residence of the ASMLA leader, Danish security services said in a statement. | The Norwegian suspect had been observed photographing the residence of the ASMLA leader, Danish security services said in a statement. |
Following a deadly shooting at a military parade in Iran in September, in which more than 25 people were killed, Iran accused Denmark, the Netherlands and Britain of harbouring members of militant opposition groups. | Following a deadly shooting at a military parade in Iran in September, in which more than 25 people were killed, Iran accused Denmark, the Netherlands and Britain of harbouring members of militant opposition groups. |
That attack was claimed by a different Arab separatist group and the Islamic State group, although neither offered proof of their claims. | That attack was claimed by a different Arab separatist group and the Islamic State group, although neither offered proof of their claims. |
What has the response been? | |
An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said such "biased reports" and allegations pursued "the enemy's plots and conspiracies" to harm the developing relations between Iran and Europe, according to Tasnim news agency. | |
Mr Rasmussen said, after a meeting with his British counterpart Theresa May in Oslo, that he appreciated her support. | |
"In close collaboration with UK and other countries we will stand up to Iran," he tweeted. | |
Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen said Denmark would discuss further actions with European partners in the coming days. | |
The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, congratulated Denmark on arresting "an Iranian regime assassin". | The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, congratulated Denmark on arresting "an Iranian regime assassin". |
In August, Donald Trump re-imposed US economic sanctions on Iran, following the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal earlier this year. EU leaders remain committed to the original agreement. | In August, Donald Trump re-imposed US economic sanctions on Iran, following the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal earlier this year. EU leaders remain committed to the original agreement. |
On Friday, France expelled an Iranian diplomat over a bomb plot against a rally organised by Iranian opposition groups, diplomatic and security sources said. | On Friday, France expelled an Iranian diplomat over a bomb plot against a rally organised by Iranian opposition groups, diplomatic and security sources said. |