Iran: Hundreds protest in Tehran against Saudi Arabia
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 11 April 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iran: Hundreds protest in Tehran against Saudi Arabia, 11 April 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5565b9e92d.html [accessed 20 May 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. |
April 11, 2015
Hundreds of Iranians have protested in Tehran against Saudi Arabia over the alleged abuse of two teenage Iranian boys at a Saudi airport.
More than 300 protesters gathered in front of the Saudi Embassy in northern Tehran on April 11 to call for the embassy's closure. The protests come in spite of a government ban.
Demonstrators shouted "Shame on you!" and "Death to the House of Saud!" in reference to the Saudi ruling family.
The demonstration came after the alleged abuse of two boys by Saudi officers at Jeddah's international airport.
According to Iran's Foreign Ministry the airport police officers separated the boys, 14 and 15 years old, from their fellow passengers "for more body searching" when they were returning to Iran from Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca.
The ministry had summoned Saudi Arabia's charge d'affairs in Tehran earlier this week over the allegations and demanded that the Saudi government to bring suspected culprits to justice.
The incident prompted angry reactions in Iran, with some lawmakers and religious leaders calling for a stop to minor hajj pilgrimage trips to Saudi Arabia. The kingdom hosts Mecca and Medina, Islam's holiest sites.
Saudi aviation authorities earlier prevented an Iranian plane carrying 260 pilgrims from entering the kingdom's airspace, claiming the aircraft lacked appropriate permissions.
Relations between the two countries have been strained over the situation in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is carrying out air strikes against Shi'ite Huthi rebels allegedly backed by Iran.
Meanwhile, reports from Yemen say Saudi-led air strikes there and ground combat between armed factions battered the southern part of the country on April 11. Some 20 Huthi fighters were reportedly killed.
The United Nations says the conflict has led to the deaths of more than 600 people and wounded 2,200 others.
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
