European Lawmakers Criticize EU Officials' Response to Raisi's Death: 'Do Not Show Solidarity with Iranian Oppressors'

Several European lawmakers criticized the expression of 'solidarity' by European officials regarding the fatal helicopter crash involving Ebrahim Raisi and his delegation. Following condolences from some European officials over the deadly crash, many European and non-European social media users expressed their opposition to this action by sharing the hashtag '#NotInMyName'. Hannah Neumann, a Member of the European Parliament, reacted to Charles Michel's condolences, stating that she wants the people of Iran to know that Michel's condolences are 'personal' and not in his capacity as President of the European Council. Neumann reminded that Michel used his personal account on social media instead of the official account of the European Council to express his condolences, adding that this action certainly does not represent Europeans. After the confirmation of Ebrahim Raisi's death in the helicopter crash, Charles Michel expressed his sorrow over the passing of Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian, and other accompanying officials in a post on social media. In this context, Ye-ven Ri, a German parliament member, criticized the European Crisis Management Commission's readiness on Sunday to search for the remains of the helicopter carrying Ebrahim Raisi. He recalled the imprisonment, torture, and killing of Iranians by the Islamic Republic, as well as the Iranian government's military assistance to Russia in Putin's war against Ukraine and its financing of Hamas and Hezbollah, questioning: 'Why should the European Union show solidarity with the regime [of Iran]?' During the ongoing search operations for the helicopter's remains, Janez Lenarčič, the European Crisis Management Commissioner, announced that following a request from the Islamic Republic, the agency activated its satellites to locate the helicopter. Charlie Weimers, a Member of the European Parliament, also asked Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, not to express condolences to the Islamic Republic on his behalf. Borrell stated in a post that the European Union expresses condolences for the deaths of Ebrahim Raisi, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and some other officials of the Islamic Republic. Concurrently with the news of Ebrahim Raisi's death, some Iranians inside and outside the country expressed joy in various forms, including dancing, singing, and distributing sweets. The Iranian Human Rights Organization stated that Raisi's death does not close the case on his 'crimes'. An Israeli official claimed that Israel was not involved in Raisi's helicopter crash, with Lieberman stating, 'We do not shed tears.' Global reactions to the news of Ebrahim Raisi's death and his companions continue, with Ali Khamenei appointing 'Mokhber' as the interim head of government and declaring five days of 'public mourning.'