Iran cancels EU visit over ‘preconditions’
Iran Cancels EU Visit Over ‘Precondition… JPost - International
European Parliament group demanded meeting with two Iranian activists awarded top EU rights prize. PHOTO: REUTERS/VINCENT KESSLER
BRUSSELS - Iran has cancelled a European Parliament delegation visit to Tehran after the group asked to meet two Iranian activists awarded a top EU rights prize, a parliament spokeswoman said on Saturday.
The decision came after senior officials at the parliament, which on Friday awarded its Sakharov prize for human rights and freedom of thought to human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and filmmaker Jafar Panahi, said they wanted the delegation to meet the two activists.
“After hearing the new conditions, the Iranians decided to cancel,” European Parliament spokeswoman Satu Helin told Reuters. The delegation was set to travel to Tehran from October 27 to November 2.