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Iranian wanted for Argentine bomb denied bail
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LONDON, England (Reuters) -- A former Iranian ambassador wanted in Argentina over a 1994 bomb attack that killed 85 people made his second appearance in a London court on Friday and was denied bail a second time. The court heard that the Iranian government, incensed by the case, had offered half a million pounds ($790,800) as a guarantee that diplomat Hadi Soleimanpour would not flee Britain if he were granted bail. Soleimanpour's parents had offered a further 200,000 pounds. But presiding judge Christopher Pratt said the allegations against Soleimanpour were so serious "no amount of money" would persuade him to release the 47-year-old career diplomat from police custody. He ordered Soleimanpour to appear again on September 19. Soleimanpour's arrest in northern England last week has rekindled a diplomatic spat between Iran and Argentina and has dragged Britain into the fray too. The Argentine government accuses Soleimanpour of involvement in a car-bomb attack on the AMIA Jewish centre in Buenos Aires in July 1994 and wants him extradited from Britain. Soleimanpour was Iran's ambassador to Argentina at the time. Iran vehemently denies any involvement in the bombing and says Soleimanpour's arrest is politically motivated. It has promised "strong action" in response, has cut economic and cultural ties with Argentina and has warned Britain the issue will harm bilateral ties. Some 50 Iranian dissidents staged a small but noisy demonstration outside the court on Friday, waving placards and shouting slogans denouncing Tehran and urging Britain to extradite Soleimanpour to Argentina to stand trial. The protests could be heard inside the court room. "I'm pleased about today's decision but of course the best decision would be to send him to Argentina so justice can be served," said Firouz Mahvi, spokesman for the Iranian opposition group the National Council of Resistance. Soleimanpour appeared relaxed as he sat before the judge, wearing a grey suit and blue shirt. He has been living in Britain since February 2002 and, according to his defence lawyers, has never made any attempt to flee the country or hide his identity. "It is absurd to call him a fugitive," defence lawyer Alun Jones told the court. "There is no evidence at all that he is a fugitive or that he will abscond." The United States and Israel have long suspected Iran of being behind the AMIA attack, in which up to 200 people were injured. President George W. Bush has branded Iran part of an "axis of evil" states that he accuses of sponsoring terrorism. Copyright 2003 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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