KSA releases Sheikh Qasemian after diplomatic efforts
The Kingdome of Saudi Arabia has released two Iranian including Sheikh Qasemian, a prominent Iranian religious figure and television personality, after he was arrested two days ago during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, according to reports from Iranian media outlets and sources close to the cleric.
Director General of Consular Affairs at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Mojtaba Shasti Karimi, said on Thursday that Gholamreza Qassemian and Nadimi, who had been detained in the holy Saudi city of Medina, were freed, Tasnim news agency reported.
Shasti Karimi added that the two nationals were released early Thursday following intensive efforts by Iran’s Foreign Ministry and the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization.
“In line with its inherent responsibilities, [Iran’s] foreign policy apparatus spares no effort to support Iranian nationals in any part of the world,” he emphasized.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi paid a special attention to the issue, both with respect to supporting citizens and safeguarding mutual relations with Saudi Arabia, Shasti Karimi noted.
He said collective efforts by Iran’s embassy and consulate general in Riyadh and Jeddah as well as the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization also played a leading role in the freedom of the two Iranians.
The Iranian diplomat also thanked cooperation on the part of relevant Saudi officials in this regard.
Qasemian, widely recognized in Iran for hosting the Quranic program Mahfel, was reportedly detained after a video he recorded during the pilgrimage began circulating online. In the video, he delivered a strongly worded critique of recent developments in Saudi Arabia, drawing parallels between contemporary events and the era of the Umayyads.
