Reporting by PMOI/MEK
Iran, August 22, 2019–Sweden’s Channel 1 TV broadcast a report of supporters of the Iranian opposition group People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) living in Sweden holding a rally protesting the presence of Iranian regime Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.
“Don’t negotiate with murderers,” the protesters were chanting during their demonstration outside the Swedish Foreign Ministry building on Wednesday.
The meeting between Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström and Zarif has come under strong criticism from a variety of perspectives. Following this meeting, Zarif did not attend the press conference and refused to face reporters.
In a desperate effort to find relief from an economic crisis that has crippled this regime, Iran’s mullahs have their eyes glued to Europe and Sweden for a solution.
Coinciding with Zarif’s meeting at the Swedish Foreign Ministry, dissident protesters were seen chanting do not negotiate with murderers.
“We will never forget this day,” one demonstrator said.
Sweden’s Channel 2 TV also reported that while Zarif’s meeting south to find a solution to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal – known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – his meeting with the Swedish Foreign Minister became the target of a wave of criticism.
Iranians living in Sweden who protested Zarif’s visit were attacked by police cavalry units equipped with batons. The protesters were holding signs reading, “Zarif is like Gobbles,” in a reference to Hitler’s minister.
Zarif visited Sweden as the representative of a state that is heavily criticized for violating human rights and the Iranian people’s freedoms, discrimination against women, and the use of torture and executions. Zarif is sanctioned by the U.S. and it remains unclear if he will be permitted to travel to New York in September during the United Nations General Assembly. If so, will he be permitted to deliver speeches anywhere?
The Expressen, one of Sweden’s two nationwide evening newspapers, also covered Zarif’s visit to downtown Stockholm and the Iranian dissidents’ demonstration. Swedish police had blocked roads around the Foreign Ministry from 9 am local time to block the protesters from the Gustav Adolf Square. However, the protesters launched a demonstration at 9:30 am and while the police were attacking their ranks with batons, they continued to protest and strongly criticize Zarif’s visit.
