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Iran denies Argentina bomb charge | Iran denies Argentina bomb charge |
(7 days later) | |
Iran has strongly criticised charges against former high-level Iranian officials over the 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre in Buenos Aires. | Iran has strongly criticised charges against former high-level Iranian officials over the 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre in Buenos Aires. |
Argentine prosecutors are calling for the arrest of former Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani and seven others. | Argentine prosecutors are calling for the arrest of former Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani and seven others. |
Iranian authorities are accused of directing Lebanese militia group Hezbollah to carry out the attack, which killed 85 people and injured 300. | Iranian authorities are accused of directing Lebanese militia group Hezbollah to carry out the attack, which killed 85 people and injured 300. |
The Iranian foreign ministry described the move as "a Zionist plot". | The Iranian foreign ministry described the move as "a Zionist plot". |
Hezbollah and Iran both deny that they were involved in the blast. | Hezbollah and Iran both deny that they were involved in the blast. |
Speaking on state radio, foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hoseyni said: "The new fabrications are conducted within the framework of a Zionist plot." | Speaking on state radio, foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hoseyni said: "The new fabrications are conducted within the framework of a Zionist plot." |
Mr Hoseyni said the charges were intended to divert "world attention from the perpetration of crimes by the Zionists against women and children in Palestine". | Mr Hoseyni said the charges were intended to divert "world attention from the perpetration of crimes by the Zionists against women and children in Palestine". |
The blast, on 18 July 1994, reduced the seven-storey Jewish-Argentine Mutual Association (AMIA) community centre to rubble. | The blast, on 18 July 1994, reduced the seven-storey Jewish-Argentine Mutual Association (AMIA) community centre to rubble. |
No-one has ever been convicted of the attack, but the current government has said it is determined to secure justice. | No-one has ever been convicted of the attack, but the current government has said it is determined to secure justice. |
'Hallmarks' | 'Hallmarks' |
Over the years, the case has been marked by rumours of cover-ups and accusations of incompetence, but little in the way of hard evidence. | Over the years, the case has been marked by rumours of cover-ups and accusations of incompetence, but little in the way of hard evidence. |
Minor figures have been named, including a policeman who sold the van used in the attack, but no-one has been convicted. | Minor figures have been named, including a policeman who sold the van used in the attack, but no-one has been convicted. |
Local Jewish groups have long said the bombing bore the hallmarks of Iranian-backed Islamic militants. | Local Jewish groups have long said the bombing bore the hallmarks of Iranian-backed Islamic militants. |
Iran has repeatedly and vehemently denied any involvement in the attack. | Iran has repeatedly and vehemently denied any involvement in the attack. |
Last November, an Argentine prosecutor said a member of Hezbollah was behind the attack and had been identified in a joint operation by Argentine intelligence and the FBI. | Last November, an Argentine prosecutor said a member of Hezbollah was behind the attack and had been identified in a joint operation by Argentine intelligence and the FBI. |
But Hezbollah said that the man, Ibrahim Hussein Berro, had died in southern Lebanon while fighting Israel. | But Hezbollah said that the man, Ibrahim Hussein Berro, had died in southern Lebanon while fighting Israel. |
The 1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, which killed 29 people, also remains unsolved. | The 1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, which killed 29 people, also remains unsolved. |