EU denounces 'political' nature of Tehran's sanctions

The European Union denounced Thursday, October 27 the “

” nature of the sanctions decided by Tehran against European elected officials and journalists in response to the punitive measures of the EU against those responsible for the repression of demonstrations in Iran.

"

," said Peter Stano, spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

"

" he said.

“

,” he insisted.

Iranian officials sanctioned

Iran has been rocked by demonstrations and protest movements since the death on September 16 of a young Iranian Kurd, Masha Amini, who died three days after her arrest in Tehran by the morality police who accused her of having violated the the country's strict dress code, including the wearing of the veil in public.

Read alsoIn Iran, the revolt does not weaken despite forty days of violent repression

On October 17, the EU sanctioned the morality police and eleven Iranian officials, including the head of this body, involved in the repression of the demonstrations.

Persons sanctioned are prohibited from entering the EU and are prohibited from receiving European funding.

Tehran responded on October 26 with similar sanctions against several European elected officials, journalists and several organizations, including The International Committee in Search of Justice (ISJ), the International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism (LICRA), accused of having "

" and "

" in Iran.