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Iran Downplays Sentencing Over Plot To Kill Saudi Envoy

May 31, 2013

Tehran is downplaying a 25-year prison sentence against an Iranian-American who was convicted in an alleged Iranian-backed plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said on Iranian state television that “convicting an innocent person in such a way has no legal value and is merely a political move” by the U.S. federal court.

Manssor Arbabsiar, a naturalized U.S. citizen who also holds an Iranian passport, was convicted after admitting he conspired with Iranian military officials to try to kill Saudi Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir at a Washington restaurant in September 2011.

Tehran denies any involvement in the plot.

The assassination was never attempted.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, dpa, Iranian state tv

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-saudi-assassination-plot/25003632.html

Copyright (c) 2013. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.