THE UK’s ambassador in Iran has been summoned to explain his “illegal and inappropriate presence” at an anti-government protest, the Iranian foreign ministry has said.
Rob Macaire was called in to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after being arrested by police on Saturday as demonstrations broke out in Tehran over the downing of a Ukrainian airliner by Iranian forces, killing all 176 people on board.
The move threatened to further escalate the diplomatic row between London and Tehran after Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab denounced Macaire’s detention as a “flagrant violation” of international law.
READ MORE: These are the profound implications of the killing of Qasem Soleimani
Dozens of Iranian hardliners were reported to have gathered outside the British embassy, chanting “death to England” and calling for the ambassador to be expelled.
It came as large protests erupted in Tehran over days of denials from the regime over the Revolutionary Guard accidentally shooting down the Ukranian plane.
Videos posted online showed protesters shouting anti-government slogans and moving through rail stations and pavements in Tehran, many near Azadi, or Freedom Square after an earlier call for people to demonstrate there.
Other videos suggested similar protests were taking place in other Iranian cities.
Earlier, Macaire denied he had been taking part in anti-government demonstrations. He said he had been attending a vigil for the victims of Flight PS752 when protests broke out and he left. “Can confirm I wasn’t taking part in any demonstrations! Went to an event advertised as a vigil for victims of PS752 tragedy,” he tweeted.
“Normal to want to pay respects – some of victims were British. I left after five minutes, when some started chanting.”
Macaire said that he was arrested 30 minutes after leaving the area, although he was later released.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs later said on its Telegram channel that he had been summoned over his “illegal and inappropriate presence” at the protests.
The Foreign Office confirmed that Macaire had been called in.
READ MORE: Scottish anti-war protesters turn out to make plea for peace
Raab commented: “The arrest of our ambassador in Tehran without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law.
“The Iranian government is at a cross-roads moment. It can continue its march towards pariah status with all the political and economic isolation that entails, or take steps to de-escalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards.”
He was said to have protested strongly that his detention had been unjustified and that it was “completely untrue” to say he had been involved in the protests.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said police had been unaware Macaire was a diplomat when he was held as an “unknown foreigner”. He said once he was able to speak to Macaire and confirm that he was the ambassador, he was released within 15 minutes.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here