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Iranian diplomat warns against illegal entry into Iraq
A key Iranian diplomatic figure in Baghdad has warned against the illegal entry of Iranian pilgrims into Iraq. "The illegal entry of (Iranian) pilgrims into Iraq will be met with various difficulties and serious danger," said First Deputy Ambassador to Baghdad Hossein Zolanvar in an interview with IRNA here on Wednesday. Zolanvar said Iraqi police have arrested more than 20 Iranians who, in recent days, have tried to cross illegally into Iraq to do pilgrimage or participate in the Ashura procession mourning the martyrdom of the third Imam of the Household of the Holy Prophet Mohammad, Hazrat Hossein ibn Ali (AS), and 72 of his companions. He said many Iranian families have called the embassy voicing concern over the fate of their loved ones and the embassy is busy following up their cases. Elsewhere in the interview, Zolanvar touched on a deal between Iran and Iraq for the exchange of pilgrims, saying those interested in visiting Iraq's holy sites can join pilgrimage groups for this purpose. He said the groups would be allowed to visit only the provinces of Najaf and Karbala considering the security conditions prevailing in other provinces of the country. Pilgrimages to other provinces such as Kazemein and Samarra pose risks and are banned, he added. The least the pilgrims can expect if they undertake pilgrimages to those prohibited provinces will be arrest and imprisonment, he said. There are currently over 100 Iranians jailed in various prisons in Iraq on charges of illegal entry, including for pilgrimage purposes. Posted by: Pappy 2006-02-10 |
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