Tehran vows due process in Azerbaijani embassy attack, highlights progress with Baku PHOTO

The judicial process regarding the attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran is ongoing and must follow all necessary procedures in Iran’s legal system, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister and Head of the Center for Political and International Studies (IPIS), Saeed Khatibzadeh, told journalists in Baku.

"The attack on the Azerbaijani embassy was a tragic event," Khatibzadeh said. "After this incident, both the police and judicial authorities conducted a large-scale investigation. It was an unpleasant event for both nations. However, it also served as a catalyst for rapprochement between our peoples. Both sides have taken steps to restore relations," Caliber.Az reports, citing local media sources.

"In order to execute a sentence in the Iranian judicial system, all relevant procedures must be completed. This issue is regulated by a special complaint."

Khatibzadeh noted that the implementation of the verdict related to the embassy attack depends on a special complaint and is subject to specific judicial procedures. "The Azerbaijani embassy in Iran is actively monitoring the issue. I am confident that justice will prevail and the verdict will be carried out in line with the law," he stated.

Speaking ahead of a meeting at the Baku-based Centre for Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), the Iranian diplomat underlined the importance of bilateral ties. "Relations between Iran and Azerbaijan are multifaceted. There are no two countries in the region as closely connected as ours. Our peoples share deep historical and cultural bonds," he said.

Khatibzadeh added that both sides are working to eliminate "artificial barriers" that have strained ties in recent years. "We are striving to return our relations to their normal, cooperative course," he said.

The comments come amid continued efforts by both countries to rebuild trust and strengthen diplomatic engagement following tensions caused by the embassy attack in January 2023.

The incident occurred on January 27, 2023, at 08:30 Baku time. Iranian citizen Yasin Hosseinzadeh, armed with a Kalashnikov rifle, broke through the embassy’s security post, killed the head of security, Orkhan Asgarov, and wounded security service employees Vasif Taghiyev and Mahir Imanov, who attempted to stop the attack.

On January 30, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan evacuated the embassy staff from Tehran, after which the diplomatic mission’s activities were suspended. In connection with the attack, the State Security Service of Azerbaijan opened a criminal case under relevant articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

Orkhan Asgarov was buried at the Second Alley of Martyrs in Baku. On February 3, 2023, by decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Orkhan Rizvan oglu Asgarov was posthumously awarded the “For the Motherland” medal. Vasif Natig oglu Taghiyev was awarded the First Class “Courage” Order, and Mahir Kamil oglu Imanov received the “For the Motherland” medal.

Following the attack, the activities of Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran were suspended. The embassy staff and their families were evacuated to Baku on January 29, 2023.

As a result of negotiations between the two countries, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Iran resumed its activities at a new address on July 15, 2024, with the ambassador and diplomatic staff returning to Iran.

The trial of Yasin Hosseinzadeh lasted for two years. After the trial, the Iranian Ministry of Justice announced that he had been sentenced to death. The Supreme Court of Iran upheld the death sentence against the attacker, after which the case was sent to Tehran for the execution of the criminal verdict.

By Khagan Isayev