After a number of individuals attacked the Iranian embassy in Berlin, Iran has called for a judicial confrontation with the perpetrators, and the German Foreign Minister has apologized to the Islamic Republic.
Reports indicate that a group of Iranian asylum-seekers together with a group of German political activists entered the Iranian embassy in Berlin around 5PM on Wednesday November 28 in protest against the situation of jailed lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh in Iran.
Sotoudeh, a prominent human rights lawyer, has been in Evin Prison in Tehran since September 2010 and is currently on a hunger strike to protest the violations of her rights as a prisoner.
The protesters in Berlin pulled down the Islamic Republic flag and tried to read out a protest statement in support of Sotoudeh but they were confronted by police.
The German News Agency reported that police said about 30 people were among the attackers, who in addition to pulling down the Islamic Republic flag also engaged in throwing rocks at the embassy building.
German police confirmed that 10 people were arrested and, according to Radio Zamaneh investigations, some of the detainees were German nationals.
The German News Agency also reports that last night, about 80 supporters of the detainees gathered in front of a police station calling for the release of their peers.
The Fars News Agency reports that Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has called for an investigation into the matter and legal action against the perpetrators.
Guido Westerwelle, the German Foreign Minister, has reportedly contacted Salehi to express regret about the incident and admit that such actions are unacceptable. He reportedly said a number of individuals were arrested in the case and they will face legal proceedings.
Westerwelle stressed that the German government is committed to the protection of Iranian embassies and consulates and will not allow such an incident to happen again.
