The Iranian government is submitting documents it says prooves "interference by foreigners in the terrorist incidents in Khuzestan province last year" to the United Nations.
Deputy Governor General of Khuzestan Mohsen Farrokhi Nezhad told Fars News Agency that the 'evidence', including documents, showed that those responsible for the bomb attacks and sabotage operations had been organised and trained by the 'occupiers of Iraq'. He also alleged that they had carried out a number of armed robberies over the past two years to finance their operations.
The government claims that the US, Israel and UK backed group was affiliated to Al-Qaeda and held Wahhabi and anti-Shi'ite views. However, the government has not revealed the name of the group.
Nasser Bani Assad, spokesman for the British Ahwazi Friendship Society (BAFS), said: "The government has been making these claims for the past year, but has failed to publish the proof. So, the submission to the UN is a welcome development, allowing the international community to assess Iran's various claims. We would like the Iranian authorities to publish the 'evidence' publically. We want the regime to state which individuals and organisations it is accusing of responsibility for the bomb attacks.
"Several Ahwazis - mostly Shi'ites - have been arrested for possessing 'terrorist' or 'separatist' propaganda, which has turned out to be reports by human rights groups such as Amnesty International as well as UN agencies. It would be ironic if the documents submitted to the UN include UNCHR reports!
"There are several inconsistencies in the government's claims. If the alleged terrorist group was sponsored by the British and Americans, why would it rely on the proceeds of armed robberies to fund its activities? This raises the question of what Iran means by 'foreign influence'. If the regime is suggesting that the presence of terrorists in Iraq is proof of British or American involvement in the Ahwaz bomb attacks, then it will have a tough time selling its case.
"We know that Iran is assisting Shia militias associated with Iraqi political parties. The downing of the British helicopter in Basra last week probably utilised equipment brought in from Iran. The attempt to accuse Western governments of terrorist acts in Iran could back-fire, highlighting Iran's involvement in militia activity in Iraq."
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keywords: ahvaz ahwaz ahwazi arabistan khuzestan khuzistan khuzestani arab arabistan iran iranian human rights security oil news ahmadinejad ethnic cleansing
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