dpa – Brussels – A closed-door hearing of the Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in front of the European Parliament's foreign committee Tuesday was preceded by an angry protest in defence of human rights, staged by a dozen EU lawmakers.
British conservative Struan Stevenson shouted "murderer" at Mottaki while holding a picture of Neda Agha Soltan, a student killed last year during demonstrations against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election.
dpa – Brussels – A closed-door hearing of the Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in front of the European Parliament's foreign committee Tuesday was preceded by an angry protest in defence of human rights, staged by a dozen EU lawmakers.
British conservative Struan Stevenson shouted "murderer" at Mottaki while holding a picture of Neda Agha Soltan, a student killed last year during demonstrations against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election.
A handful of centre-right deputies from Italy, Spain and Estonia also took part in the protest, but all were unceremoniously pushed away by security to make space for Mottaki.
A brief tussle between EU lawmakers and the European Parliament's guards ensued, but no injuries were reported.
As the Iranian delegation managed to slip through the door, another British conservative EU deputy, Charles Tannock, shook his head.
"He should have never been invited in the first place," he said, referring to Mottaki.
The minister was ostensibly asked by the EU committee to talk about Iran's nuclear programme, as the United Nations Security Council debates a resolution that strengthens the sanctions against Tehran.
But his visit took place against a backdrop of increased tensions in the Middle East, after Israel's attack Monday against a flotilla defying the naval embargo on the Gaza Strip resulted in at least nine deaths.