Missing Iranian Diplomat Might Have Been Kidnapped: Deputy FM

A senior Iranian official on Monday said one cannot rule out the possibility that Ghazanfar Roknabadi, Iran’s ex-envoy to Lebanon who is still missing after recent deadly crush in Mina, Saudi Arabia, may have been kidnapped.

Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular and Expatriates Affairs Hassan Qashqavi reiterated that Roknabadi has been seen alive after the deadly incident in Saudi Arabia.

The person who saw the Iranian diplomat after the crush has testified on the issue, Qashqavi stressed, adding that there is no doubt in this regard.

He further referred to the possibility of abduction in Roknabadi’s case, saying that such possibility exists and no one can say for sure whether or not he has been kidnapped.

Since Mr. Roknabadi is a prominent figure, Iran cannot be indifferent to the possibility of his abduction, even if it is not that much likely, he added.

Any scenario is possible unless Iran receives Roknabadi’s body, the Iranian official noted, reaffirming that the foreign ministry will continue pursuing the issue until his fate is determined.

Qashqavi’s remarks came a couple of days after Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian underlined the ministry’s continued efforts to follow up on the fate of pilgrims missed in deadly tragedy in Mina.

“We are pursuing the fate of all missing nationals through different channels,” he said Saturday, adding that, to that end, head of Iran’s Red Crescent Society had a meeting with Saudi health minister.

A September 24 crush in Mina, which happened when pilgrims from around the world were performing the Hajj rites, killed about 7500 Hajj pilgrims, including 464 Iranians.

Several Iranian pilgrims, including the country’s former ambassador to Lebanon Roknabadi, are still unaccounted for after the deadly crush.

Saudi authorities have come under fire for their inability to ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who converge on Mecca every year.



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