Argentina's request to arrest Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi for allegedly being involved in the 1994 bombing of the Buenos Aires Jewish community center was rejected Wednesday by the Middle Eastern country.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani criticized Argentina for making baseless accusations. However, the ministry did not mention Vahidi's name in the official statement. Kanaani called Argentina's demand illegal, and added it was based on lies and fabrications.
The spokesman also highlighted a past incident involving demands placed on the British judicial system for the extradition of an Iranian official, and said the request was ultimately rejected due to insufficient evidence to support the demand.
Kanaani pointed out that the accusations against Iran in the Amia case lack credibility, while stressing that demanding action from the judicial officials of other countries in such cases was legally unwarranted and baseless.
He clarified that Iran stood by all efforts to pursue justice in the case and hold accountable those who tampered with evidence and helped the perpetrators escape justice.
In conclusion, the spokesperson asked the South American country to refrain from making baseless accusations against citizens of other nations and avoid getting influenced by the claims of enemies of the Tehran-Buenos Aires relations.
The statement came just one day after Argentina demanded Interpol to arrest Iran's interior minister over a 1994 assault, which was never claimed or solved. However, Argentina and Israel allegedly blamed the Iran-backed group Hezbollah for carrying out this operation.
As per Argentina's statement Tuesday, the foreign ministry said, "Argentina seeks the international arrest of those responsible for the AMIA attack of 1994, which killed 85 people, and who remain in their positions with total impunity," Arab News reported.
It added, "One of them is Ahmad Vahidi, sought by Argentine justice as one of those responsible for the attack against AMIA."
Argentina's request came when Vahidi was in Pakistan for an official visit. However, there was no immediate response from Pakistani authorities yet, AP News reported.
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