Iran urges France to investigate murder of two nationals in suspected racist attack

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on the French government to conduct a thorough investigation into the murder of two Iranian nationals in a shooting incident in northern France.

Vahid Jalalzadeh, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs, expressed deep sorrow over the killings, which he described as a suspicious armed attack allegedly motivated by racism, Caliber.Az reports per Iranian media.

Jalalzadeh offered condolences to the families of the victims and urged French authorities to take the matter seriously, ensuring a transparent investigation into the case, according to the ministry's website.

The deputy FM also noted the immediate response of the Iranian embassy in Paris, which contacted French authorities upon learning of the deaths. The embassy has been actively pursuing the case, demanding the identification, prosecution, and punishment of the perpetrators. Additionally, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has reached out to the French embassy in Tehran, stressing the importance of a comprehensive judicial investigation and the administration of justice, including the payment of blood money to the victims' families.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that the Iranian government is committed to ensuring the protection of its nationals abroad and is continuing its efforts to secure justice for the victims. In addition to facilitating the repatriation of the victims' bodies to Iran, the Foreign Ministry vowed to pursue the matter until all circumstances surrounding the incident are clarified.

The incident occurred on December 14 in Loon-Plage, near the city of Dunkirk in northern France. The two Iranian nationals were shot and killed by an individual whose identity has not been disclosed, although the suspect has been taken into police custody.

By Vafa Guliyeva