The Islamic Republic acknowledged on Saturday its responsibility for the disaster on Wednesday.
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TheAdmitted on Sunday that it had briefly arrested the British ambassador to Tehran the day before after an “illegal rally”, initially a ceremony in memory of the victims of the crash of a Ukrainian Boeing killed “by mistake” by an Iranian missile, according to authorities.
In response to these tensions with London, between 100 and 200 people protested in the afternoon in front of the British embassy in the Iranian capital, burning a British flag, according to an AFP correspondent.
The Islamic Republic recognized on Saturday its responsibility for the disaster on Wednesday (176 dead, mostly Iranians and Canadians, including many binationals and students) after the denials opposed so far by the authorities to the thesis of the advanced missile as of Wednesday evening through Ottawa. These confessions sparked outrage from the Iranians. After dispersing a rally on Saturday evening of students chanting slogans against the authorities in Tehran, security forces deployed to the center of the capital on Sunday.
Riot police units equipped with water cannons and armed with batons were deployed en masse near three universities, AFP journalists said.
Police also deployed around Azadi Square, which was blocked for pedestrians, and around 50 Bassidji (Islamist volunteers) armed with paintball guns were seen near Amir Kabir University, d where the demonstration dispersed on Saturday started.
During the day, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that British Ambassador Rob Macaire had “been arrested as an unidentified foreigner in an illegal rally”. He added that the ambassador was released 15 minutes after he identified him by phone.
“I did not take part in any demonstration (…). I left the place after five minutes when some started to launch slogans “against the authorities, said British ambassador to Iran Rob Macaire on Twitter.
“Diplomatic Path”
“The arrest of our ambassador to Tehran without foundation or explanation is a blatant violation of international law,” Foreign Minister Dominic Raab reacted overnight. Raab said Iran must choose between “walking towards a pariah status” or “taking steps to de-escalate and embark on the diplomatic path.”
European Foreign Minister Josep Borrell criticized Tehran after Macaire’s “temporary detention” and called for “de-escalation” in a tweet. Paris in a statement called on the Iranian authorities to abide by their “obligations under international law” while Berlin condemned the arrest on Twitter, described as “an unacceptable violation of international law”.
AFP journalists said Saturday’s rally, initially a vigil in memory of the tragedy by Ukraine Airlines, turned into anger.
US President Donald Trump has warned Tehran of “another massacre of peaceful protesters,” referring to the protests in Iran in November, which were brutally suppressed according to the NGO Amnesty International.
Students chanted “anti-diet” slogans, according to Iranian state television, and the crowd demanded prosecution of those responsible for the tragedy and “the liars” who they said tried to cover it up.
Iranian newspapers paid tribute to those killed in the crash on Sunday. “Apologize, resign,” headlined the reformist daily Etemad. “Unforgivable,” wrote Iran, the pro-government newspaper. “Deep apologies for a painful mistake,” said Javan, a newspaper close to the Guardians.
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