Iran arrests German for photographing oil facility — report
January 17, 2023
A German national was arrested in Iran Tuesday for allegedly taking photos of oil facilities in the southwestern Khuzestan province, several Iranian media outlets reported on Tuesday.
The state-affiliated Jam-e Jam newspaper reported that the yet-unidentified German national took photos of "sensitive oil centers" at the Aghajari oilfield.
The Tasnim news agency and the Student News Network, both close to Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, also reported the person had been taking photos of the oil facility, without providing any further details.
Germany's dpa news agency reported that the German Foreign Ministry attempted to clarify the situation.
The arrest reports come a day after Germany summoned the Iranian ambassador in response to Tehran's treatment of anti-government demonstrators.
Iran security on alert amid protests
Iran's security service have been on high alert amid months of political turmoil following the death of a young woman, 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini, at the hands of the country's "morality police" in September.
The protests since morphed into a larger anti-government uprising opposing Iran's clerical leadership, with women playing a leading role.
Germany has repeatedly lodged protests against the Iranian authorities' brutal crackdown against demonstrators, with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock saying the execution of the protesters will have consequences.
Tehran has blamed the unrest on the US and other Western countries, without providing evidence.
rm/wmr (dpa, Reuters, AP)