IRANIAN DIPLOMAT CRITICIZES IRANIAN AUTHORITIES,

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000005 SIPDIS FOR NEA/IR, CA, P, AND NSC E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2020 TAGS: IR PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PROP PTER NO SUBJECT: IRANIAN DIPLOMAT CRITICIZES IRANIAN AUTHORITIES, REQUESTS ASYLUM IN NORWAY REF: 09 OSLO 794 Classified By: CDA James T. Heg for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Norwegian news outlets began reporting January 5 that Iranian diplomat Mohammed Reza Heydari had resigned his position at the Iranian embassy in Oslo to protest the December crack-down on demonstrators in Iran, and had sought asylum in Norway. Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) confirmed January 7 that Heydari had indeed filed an application for asylum in Norway, and was currently under PST protection in an undisclosed location. Heydari has not contacted post to seek asylum in the United States. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) reported January 5 that Iranian Consul to Norway, Mohammed Reza Heydari, had resigned his position at the Iranian Embassy in Oslo after a three year tour. Heydari is listed as Second Secretary in the MFA's Oslo Diplomatic List, married to a Mrs. Tahereh Heydari. NRK reported that Heydari said he resigned due to the crack-down on Iranian protesters in December 2010, and that he could no longer work for the Iranian authorities. Iranian Embassy Spokesman Jamshid Parvazi told left-leaning Norwegian daily Klassekampen (Class Struggle) January 7 that Heydari's alleged "protest resignation" was inaccurate, that his assignment to Oslo had finished before the Christmas holidays, and that his successor had already arrived in Oslo. Heydari remained in Norway, Parvazi claimed, as "everyone gets a month's vacation before they return to Iran." Reuters reported January 6 that the Iranian Foreign Ministry in Tehran had denied the report. ¶3. (U) According to NRK, Heydari said he is considering applying for asylum in Norway. The Norwegian Immigration Authorities (UDI) refused to comment to the media, noting that information is too sensitive and could possibly endanger the applicant. Director of the Norwegian - Iran Support Committee, Rahman Saki said he is concerned for the safety of Heydari and his family. Norwegian News Service (NTB) reported January 7 that Heydari's family said that he could himself could not comment, but did not rule out the possibility he would provide a comment to the media at a later time. ¶4. (C) MFA Iran Desk Officer Mai Tonheim and press official from UDI told Acting Pol/Econ Counselor and Pol LES January 7 that they had no information about Heydari's case. Iranian-Norwegian human rights activist Mahmoud Amiry-Mogaddan confirmed to PolOff January 7 that Heydari did not feel comfortable speaking further with the press at this time, but additional details would likely be forthcoming over the next few days. ¶5. (C) The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) has confirmed that Heydari has sought asylum, and that he had been prompted to take action because the Iranian MFA sent an official to escort him and his family back to Iran. Given the concerns for his personal security, Heydari is currently under Norwegian PST protection and is no longer living in his apartment. ¶6. (C) Comment: Post will be provided an opportunity by PST to debrief Heydari at a later date (no exact date provided). Heydari has not approached post to request asylum in the United States. To date, reaction in Norway has been muted, with no official comment by the Norwegian government. End comment. HEG