Afghans rally against Iranian interference in Herat
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 August 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Afghans rally against Iranian interference in Herat, 23 August 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/521f46c9b.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. |
August 23, 2013
By RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan
HERAT, Afghanistan – Activists in Afghanistan's western province of Herat have protested against what they see as the Iranian interference in the region.
The demonstration attracted scores of political activists, clerics, and tribal leaders in the provincial capital on August 23.
Abdul Qadir Kamil, a local politician, told RFE/RL that the Iranian Consulate in Herat had turned into a base for "spying and corruption."
He accused Iranian diplomats in the city of using their visa-granting powers to buy influence in the strategic region.
Herat Governor Fazlullah Wahidi says that he has told the Afghan Foreign Ministry about bribes being paid to Iranian officials for granting visas.
An Iranian Consulate official declined to comment on the allegations.
Herat borders northeastern Iran and is the source of water resources for neighboring regions.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website