Germany Warns Its Citizens to Leave Iran Following the Execution of Sharmeh

The German Foreign Ministry, referencing the history of 'hostage-taking' by the Islamic Republic, has urged its citizens to leave Iran. A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry stated on Friday, November 11, in Berlin that Germany has long issued 'travel warnings to Iran' asking its citizens to depart. He emphasized that following the execution of Jamshid Sharmeh, a dual German-Iranian citizen, the Islamic Republic 'takes German citizens hostage.' The spokesperson reiterated that Germany wants to 'keep other German citizens safe from this fate.' On Thursday, November 10, the German Foreign Ministry announced the closure of all three consular offices of the Islamic Republic in Germany, although the embassy will remain open. This is the latest action by Germany against the Iranian government following the execution of Jamshid Sharmeh on Monday, a dual Iranian-German citizen. A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry stated on Wednesday that Mr. Sharmeh's execution has created 'severe' tension in bilateral relations between Berlin and Tehran. Germany also summoned its ambassador from Iran and called in the chargé d'affaires of the Islamic Republic's embassy in Berlin in protest against the execution. Ghazaleh Sharmeh, Jamshid Sharmeh's daughter, has demanded 'punishment for his killers.' In an interview with Voice of America, Ghazaleh Sharmeh stated, 'We will not rest and will hold all those responsible for my father's murder accountable if the news is confirmed.' In this context, Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, condemned the execution of Jamshid Sharmeh, calling it a 'murder' and announced that the EU is considering measures in response to this action. Borrell wrote in his message, 'Jamshid Sharmeh, a citizen of the European Union in Iran, was executed. We condemn his murder in the strongest possible terms.' He emphasized that 'the European Union is strongly opposed to the death penalty at any time and under any circumstances' and expressed solidarity with the German government, with whom they are in contact. The Iranian judiciary announced the execution of this political activist on Monday. Jamshid Sharmeh, a 68-year-old German citizen with permanent residency in the United States, was kidnapped by Iranian intelligence forces in the UAE in the summer of 2020 and forcibly transferred to Iran. After a trial that the international community deems 'fabricated,' he was sentenced to death on charges of 'corruption on earth.' A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department reacted to the execution of Jamshid Sharmeh, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic executes Iranians merely for exercising their fundamental human rights. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated on Monday, November 7, in response to the execution of Jamshid Sharmeh, that 'the Iranian government executes its citizens in response to their exercise of fundamental human rights.' Mr. Miller emphasized, 'The execution of prisoners by the Islamic Republic is a fundamental violation of their human rights, and the U.S. has repeatedly stated its opposition to it.' Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, in response to a request from Voice of America for comment on the execution of Jamshid Sharmeh by the Islamic Republic, stated that 'the killing' of a German citizen has serious consequences.