Iran in Contact with European, Arab Lawyers over Mina Tragedy Case: Diplomat
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A ranking Iranian diplomat highlighted the Foreign Ministry’s efforts to restore the rights of families of Iranians who died in a tragic crush of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia’s Mina last year, saying consultations have been held with European and Arab lawyers on the case.
Iranian delegations have been or are being deployed to some European and Arab countries for meetings and negotiations with lawyers as part of efforts to legally pursue the Mina tragedy, Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Expatriates' Affairs Hassan Qashqavi said on Tuesday.
The diplomatic efforts are meant to weigh the related technical and legal issues and determine whether it will be possible to file a lawsuit in international, local or even Saudi courts over the case.
More than 460 Iranians were among the thousands of pilgrims who died on September 24, 2015, in the crush in Mina, near Mecca, during the Hajj pilgrimage.
The incident marked the worst ever tragedy during Hajj.
Saudi authorities have come under fire for their inability to ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who converge on Mecca every year.
