By Iran Independent New Service

Oct 27 - A top Iranian lawmaker blamed Euro MPs for making an "irrational request" of meeting two jailed winners of 2012 Sakharov awards that led to Saturday's cancellation of their visit to Tehran.

A five-member European Parliament team had asked to meet during their six-day visit to Tehran jailed Iranian lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and internationally acclaimed filmmaker Jafar Panahi -- winners of 2012 Sakharov awards.

"Unfortunately, the European Parliament by putting forward (such) irrational and unusual requests created obstacles for the trip," Kazem Jalali, a prominent lawmaker and head of Iranian parliament's relations with the European Parliament was quoted as saying on the Iranian assembly's website.

He said it was "neither acceptable nor rational to link the trip to the pretext of awarding prizes to those who have been convicted in a legal court as means for political propaganda."

The European Parliament's "unwise move" led to the cancellation of the delegation's visit to Tehran and it was the parliament that was "responsible for its repercussions," he added.

 

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