Iran Denies Connection with Suspect in German Army Espionage Case

The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry criticized reports about the detention of an individual in the German army on charges of espionage for the Islamic Republic, stating that these reports aim to "undermine Iran's relations with Europe." He denied any connection between the detained individual and Iran. Bahram Qasemi stated on Saturday night, January 29, in an interview with ISNA news agency, "We are not surprised to hear this news amidst unfounded and orchestrated security accusations by those seeking to damage Iran-Europe relations at this important and sensitive juncture." He emphasized that Iran's relations with Europe, especially the three countries involved in the JCPOA, have "enemies and adversaries who spare no effort, accusation, or claim to tarnish these relations." The German Federal Prosecutor's Office announced that a language and cultural advisor working in the German army has been detained on suspicion of espionage for the Iranian intelligence service. The name of the detained individual, who is of Afghan-German descent, has been reported as "Abdulhamid S." This announcement coincides with Iran's involvement in another case in Germany, concerning the arrest of its diplomat Asadollah Asadi. Mr. Asadi was detained on July 1 of this year (July 10) in Bavaria, Germany, related to a conspiracy case for a "bombing" at a meeting of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization in Paris. Iran has requested Mr. Asadi's extradition, but Berlin not only rejected this request but also handed him over to Belgium for trial. The European Union has imposed sanctions on Iran, pointing fingers at the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and accusing it of attempting to assassinate opponents of Tehran in Denmark and the Netherlands. Last year, the German Federal Prosecutor's Office reported that it had searched the workplace and residences of 10 "suspects of espionage." One of the discoveries involved spying on Reinhard Rub, a member of parliament and former head of the Germany-Israel Association.