Norway expels Iranian diplomat in Tehran response

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Source: Reuters

Norway's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it had asked Iran to remove one diplomat from Norway after Iranian authorities demanded one Norwegian diplomat leave Tehran.

Norway said Iran had protested against Norway granting political asylum to a former senior Iranian diplomat who quit last month in protest at a crackdown on anti-government demonstrators in Iran.

"Norway reacts strongly to the fact that Iranian authorites have requested a Norwegian diplomat to leave Tehran because of an asylum case in Norway," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Mohammed Reza Heydari resigned as consul of the Iranian embassy in Oslo and went into hiding along with his family after a December crackdown by Tehran on protesters disputing the results of last year's presidential election.

Read more: http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-46626320100303

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The story that started it all:

Dissident Iranian diplomat granted asylum in Norway

Norway has granted political asylum to a former senior Iranian diplomat who quit last month in protest at a crackdown on anti-government demonstrators in Iran, immigration authorities in Oslo said on Thursday.

Mohammed Reza Heydari resigned as consul of the Iranian embassy and went into hiding along with his family after a December crackdown by Tehran on protesters disputing the results of last year's presidential election.

Eight people were killed in the clashes between security forces and opposition backers in the most serious bloodshed since the aftermath of the June vote, when dozens died.

Heydari is believed to be the first Iranian diplomat to resign in protest against the government's moves.

"He and his family have been granted political asylum in Norway," said Bente Engesland, spokeswoman for the Norwegian Immigration Directorate (UDI).

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1150788.html

[Rapier09]

1. Norway still fighting the good fight

Even after Sri Lanka.