Source : Perth Now news
Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has been splattered with red liquid as he left a building in Berlin.
Pahlavi had just departed a news briefing, during which he criticised the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, when the incident occurred outside Germany’s federal press conference building.
He appeared unhurt by the liquid coating the back of his blazer and neck, and waved to his supporters before he got into a car that drove away. Police said the liquid appeared to be tomato juice.
The alleged perpetrator, whose name was not released in line with German privacy rules, was immediately detained by police.
Pahlavi, 65, is the son of Iran’s former shah, who was so widely hated that millions took to the streets in 1979 to force him from power.
Nevertheless, Pahlavi is trying to position himself as a player in his country’s future, though it’s unclear how much support he has in Iran after he has been in exile for nearly 50 years.
Hundreds of his supporters demonstrated on Thursday near Germany’s parliament building, according to German news agency DPA.
Pahlavi, who was not invited to meet any government representatives during his visit to Berlin, argued the ceasefire agreement assumed the Iranian government’s behaviour would change and “you’re going to deal with people who all of a sudden have become pragmatists”.
“I don’t see that happening,” he said.
“I’m not saying that diplomacy should not be given a chance, but I think diplomacy has been given enough chance.”
Pahlavi is jockeying for a return to power should the Shi’ite theocracy fall and has supported the US-Israeli military intervention in the Middle East.
Pahlavi in Berlin called on Europeans to do more to support Iranian people fighting for democracy.
He claimed 19 political prisoners were executed by Iranian authorities in the past two weeks and another 20 people have been sentenced to death.
“Will the free world do something, or watch the slaughter in silence?” Pahlavi said.
