Argentina Condemns Iran’s Appointment of Vahidi as Interior Minister

Argentina considers Ahmad Vahidi responsible for the terrorist attack on the Jewish Cultural Center in Buenos Aires in 1994 and views his appointment as Iran’s future interior minister as an insult to the victims of this attack. 85 people were killed in the AMIA bombing.

Following the release of the proposed ministerial list by Ibrahim Raisi, Iran’s new president, and the appointment of Ahmad Vahidi as the new interior minister, the Argentine government strongly criticized this move.

According to Argentine and Israeli officials, the former commander of the Quds brigades was one of the “principal perpetrators” of the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish Cultural Center in Buenos Aires, in which 85 people were killed.

Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Wednesday, August 20 (August 11): “The appointment of Vahidi to the position of Iran’s interior minister is an insult to Argentina’s judicial system and the victims of the brutal terrorist attack on AMIA.” Argentina has requested Interpol to arrest and extradite Vahidi.

Alberto Nisman, the special prosecutor investigating the attack, had identified Vahidi and six other politicians and officials of the Islamic Republic as perpetrators of the attack. He was shot dead in his apartment in early 2015.

Argentina’s Foreign Ministry statement also stated: “The Argentine government once again urges the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to fully cooperate with Argentina’s judiciary and allow those accused of involvement in the AMIA bombing to be tried by the appropriate courts.”

Ibrahim Raisi, Iran’s new president, submitted his proposed ministerial list to parliament on Wednesday and appointed Vahidi as his interior minister.

Vahidi served as defense minister during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidency.

Source: DW