Afghan protesters attack Iranian consulate in Herat

TEHRAN,Dec.10(MNA) – A number of Afghan people staged a demonstration in front of the Iranian consulate in Herat, Afghanistan, on Sunday, threw sticks and stones at the building, and broke a number of doors and windows. A few minutes after the attack, the police got involved and dispersed them by firing shots in the air. In an interview with the Persian service of the Mehr News Agency on the same day, an Iranian diplomat based in Herat, explained the details of the incident. The unidentified official stated, “About noon, a few Herat citizens gathered outside the Iranian consulate,” and the demonstration lasted for 6 to 10 minutes. He added, “The start of the incident dates back to about three months ago when a number of citizens living near the Taybad border said thirteen of their relatives had illegally entered Iran and had been killed in Iran. “They had asked for the bodies of their relatives and informed us about the issue through the Foreign Ministry and we, at the Iranian consulate, stated that this is only a claim and that if they have any document showing that these people had entered Iran, they should deliver them to us.” The Iranian diplomat also said, “So far, no evidence or document has been presented in this regard. Even they claimed that they know their whereabouts in Iran and asked for visa, and visas were issued and they went to Iran and searched, but again no evidence or document was provided.” He added that it seemed the demonstrators had been provoked by certain people.