"
The republic of Iran respects human values but we do not accept that other countries want to impose their culture
. Freedom is one of the values of Islam".
Thrust by Tehran's ambassador in Italy, after yesterday the head of state Sergio Mattarella had expressed 'personal indignation' at the repression underway in Iran.
Ambassador Mohammad Reza Sabouri
,
in his first meeting with the Italian press after yesterday presenting his credentials to the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, also argued that "according to Iranian law, the death penalty is foreseen for the most serious crimes. In relation to the people who were executed, they had a fair trial and with all the guarantees. Peaceful demonstrations are allowed in Iran but not violent unrest which is acceptable," the ambassador added.
"We too make mistakes, but we do not accept political readings, interference. We will not exchange our independence and security for anything".
"When the news of sexual violence on the arrested demonstrators spread, the attorney general ordered investigations. However, the prisoners are in prisons where men have no access", added the representative of Tehran in Italy.
Today Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani
recalled that Tehran had been asked for real change, "but in fact - he added - the requested signal has not arrived, the authorities are continuing their blind repression".
Speaking to the joint Foreign Affairs committees of the Chamber and the Senate and recalling that he had brought Italy's protest when he met the Iranian ambassador-designate on December 28, Tajani underlined that what is happening in Iran is unacceptable.
"Italy continues to demand the immediate cessation of repression and an immediate moratorium on the death penalty," he added.
Mattarella's reprimand
Italy's respect for every foreign country and its institutions finds "
an insurmountable limit
" when human rights are trampled on, so the time has come to put an
"immediate end to the violence directed against population"
.
This is the message to Iran that Sergio Mattarella sends to Tehran, delivering it personally to the new Iranian ambassador to Italy, Mohammad Reza Sabour.
The occasion for this harsh "reprimand" by the President of the Republic was the diplomat's ascent to the Quirinal to present his Letters of Credence.
ANSA Agency
Mattarella: Iran stops.
'Stop the violence and executions' - World
The president conveyed to the Iranian ambassador 'Italy's firm condemnation and indignation at the brutal repression of demonstrations, the death sentences and the execution of many demonstrators'.
Foreign Minister Tajani: 'We ask for an immediate moratorium on the death penalty in Iran/p> (ANSA)
A "first contact" without nuances in which he expressed his "personal indignation" at the ongoing repression and which took place in the presence of the government, represented by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Edmondo Cirielli.
Nothing new, essentially.
This is the executive line and it has been made explicit several times already at the highest levels.
However, the frankness of the presidential words - made public with a note - and, above all, the direct transmission of feelings of indignation in the first meeting with the new ambassador are striking.
in fact, President Mattarella expressed "the firm condemnation of the Italian Republic and his personal indignation at the brutal repression of demonstrations and at the death sentences and executions of many demonstrators".
hence the