Iran summons Saudi charge d’affaires over teens abuse

Iran has submitted a note of complaint to the Saudi government over sexual abuse of two teenage Iranian pilgrims by Saudi officers at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Marzieh Afkham, said on Wednesday that the Foreign Ministry has submitted a note of complaint and summoned the Saudi chargé d’affaires, asking Saudi Arabia’s government to expedite the measures taken in the process of punishing the accused, IRNA reported.

The Iranian official said Saudi authorities said they will pursue the matter and have filed a lawsuit against the accused.

Iran hopes this process would continue up until the punishment of the culprits and enactment of the indictment, Afkham noted.

“Immediately after being informed of the immoral act, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has followed up on the matter seriously and our colleagues in Jeddah turned up at the city’s airport after being notified and examined the matter with senior airport authorities in attendance.”

While performing body search on passengers, Saudi officers allegedly took the 14- and 15-year-old teenagers away citing suspicion, sounded off the alarm at the gate, and subjected them to the immorality.

Afkham said Saudi authorities had voiced disgust at the abuse and said its culprits would face religious and legal punishment upon establishment of their crime.

HN/HSN/SS

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