Posted by January 18, 2010
Source:
Iran’s foreign minister has confirmed that Iran’s consul in Oslo resigned earlier this month.
Manuchehr Mottaki confirmed the resignation of Mohammed Reza Heydari, who quit his job at the Iranian Embassy in Oslo on January 7.
Heydari said he stepped down to protest Tehran’s crackdown on pro-reform demonstrators in late December, and then to RFE/RL’s Radio Farda that other Iranians might be considering similar steps.
Tehran had earlier denied that Heydari quit.
Although Mottaki confirmed the resignation, he said that the Iranian government does not accept it.
It is unclear whether Heydari, who suspected he was being targeted in a hard-line purge over his opposition sympathies, will seek asylum in Norway.
compiled from agency and RFE/RL reports