Iran summoned Germany’s ambassador on Oct. 19 after Berlin called in Tehran’s envoy over a Hamburg court case involving surveillance of Jewish and pro-Israel leaders, Tasnim news agency reported.
A Hamburg court sentenced two men on Oct. 15 in a case involving surveillance of Central Council of Jews in Germany President Josef Schuster and German-Israeli Society President Volker Beck. The court also described preparations for a murder attack on Beck.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador earlier on Oct. 19. It condemned what it described as Iranian activity in the case and said Germany would not tolerate attacks on Jewish life or people who defend it.
Iranian Assistant Foreign Minister and Director General for Western Europe Alireza Yousefi delivered Tehran’s objection to German Ambassador Axel Dittmann, according to Tasnim. Yousefi rejected Berlin’s accusations, arguing that Israel and some Western countries had long made similar claims against Iran.
Tasnim reported that Dittmann said he would convey Iran’s protest to Berlin.
