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