Berlin Strikes Back: Germany Shuts Down 3 Iranian Consulates in Retaliation for Jamshid Sharmahd’s Execution
Germany Closes Iranian Consulates in Response to Execution of Dual Citizen
Berlin, October 31, 2024 (Xinhua) – Germany has taken a significant step in response to the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a dual German and Iranian citizen, by closing three Iranian consulates on its territory.
Sharmahd was accused by Iran of involvement in an attack on a mosque, and the country’s judiciary announced his death sentence earlier this week. However, German authorities have expressed concerns that Sharmahd was ”detained for years without a fair trial” before being executed.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized that her country had repeatedly warned Tehran that ”the execution of a German citizen would have serious consequences.” This move is seen as a strong response to the execution and a demonstration of Germany’s commitment to protecting its citizens.
The three Iranian consulates affected by the closure decision are located in Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich. Notably, the Iranian embassy in Berlin will remain open, indicating that diplomatic relations between the two countries have not been completely severed.