Iran downplays sentencing over plot to kill Saudi envoy
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 31 May 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iran downplays sentencing over plot to kill Saudi envoy, 31 May 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/51b0880918.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 31, 2013
Manssor Arbabsiar is pictured in this courtroom sketch from an appearance in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York in October.
Tehran is downplaying a 25-year prison sentence against an Iranian-American who was convicted in an alleged Iranian-backed plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said on Iranian state television that "convicting an innocent person in such a way has no legal value and is merely a political move" by the U.S. federal court.
Manssor Arbabsiar, a naturalized U.S. citizen who also holds an Iranian passport, was convicted after admitting he conspired with Iranian military officials to try to kill Saudi Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir at a Washington restaurant in September 2011.
Tehran denies any involvement in the plot.
The assassination was never attempted.
Based on reporting by AP, AFP, dpa, Iranian state tv
Link to original story on RFE/RL website