TEHRAN: Iran has urged the French government to put an end to the violent treatment of its citizens following a series of riots sparked by the police killing of a teenager.
In a statement on Twitter, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani also advised Iranian citizens to avoid unnecessary trips to France and to stay away from conflict areas, citing the insecure and unpredictable situation.
Spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nasser Kanaani reacted to the unrest unfolding in France over the killing of a 17-year-old teenager by police forces in the suburbs of Paris. pic.twitter.com/Vvu8ea9iUa
— Foreign Ministry, Islamic Republic of Iran 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) July 2, 2023
“As in the past, we advise the French government and police to take into account the demands of the protesters while exercising restraint and avoiding violence,” Kanaani said.
— Foreign Ministry, Islamic Republic of Iran 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) July 2, 2023
France has been engulfed in a wave of violent street protests triggered by the fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old of Algerian origin, identified as Nahel M., in the Paris suburb of Nanterre last Tuesday. The government has responded by deploying tens of thousands of security forces and making numerous arrests as rioters vandalize shops and set buildings and vehicles on fire across multiple cities.
Kanani called on the French government to respect principles based on human dignity, freedom of speech, and the right of citizens to peaceful protests, urging them to cease the violent treatment of their people. The unrest in France has garnered attention in Iran, a country that experienced its own nationwide protests last year and subsequently cracked down on what authorities labeled as “riots.”
Western Powers’ Involvement in Iran Protests
Iran’s own wave of unrest was sparked by the death of 22-year-old Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini while in custody after being arrested for breaching the country’s strict dress code for women. Iranian authorities have attributed the protests to the influence of Western powers, accusing them of fueling the demonstrations.
Last month, senior Iranian intelligence officer Mohammad Kazemi claimed that around 20 countries, including the United States and France, were involved in instigating the unrest in Iran. In October, Kanani criticized France for supporting Iran’s protests and condemned its condemnation of Iranian security forces’ actions as “clear hypocrisy” and interference in the affairs of other countries.
Iran’s call for an end to the violent treatment of protesters in France reflects its concern over human rights issues and emphasizes the need for peaceful and respectful handling of demonstrations.
