TEHRAN – On Tuesday, the German Foreign Ministry summoned its ambassador to Iran and lodged a "strong protest" following the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a notorious terror ringleader, in Tehran.
This execution came after a lengthy legal process and a final Supreme Court decision.
Sharmahd, who held dual citizenship in Germany and the United States, was sentenced to death in February on charges of “corruption on earth” for orchestrating violent attacks against innocent Iranians.
The Judiciary Media Center announced the execution, emphasizing Iran's commitment to combating terrorism and ensuring public safety. A judiciary spokesperson stated, "This sends a clear message that those who engage in acts of terror will face full accountability."
Sharmahd's record of terror is indeed troubling. As the leader of the Tondar (Thunder) group, he was responsible for a deadly bombing in 2008 at a religious center in Shiraz, which resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians and injuries to hundreds more. Upon his arrest, he admitted to supplying explosives for the attack at the Hosseynieh Seyed al-Shohada Mosque.
His involvement in terrorism did not end there; he was also implicated in a 2010 bombing near Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s mausoleum in Tehran, which caused additional civilian injuries. Despite this disturbing record, both Germany and the United States publicly supported him during his trial.
Germany's reaction to Sharmahd’s conviction highlights a concerning inconsistency in its professed commitment to human rights.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz characterized the death sentence as “unacceptable,” and the German government summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires to discuss the ruling. This response raises important questions about how a country that prides itself on promoting human rights can express support for a convicted terrorist whose actions have caused suffering and tragedy for innocent Iranians.
This approach is indicative of a wider trend in Germany’s foreign policy, which frequently condemns nations that take necessary measures to protect themselves from terrorism while seemingly turning a blind eye to those who commit violent acts. Germany’s selective outrage over human rights becomes particularly evident when it criticizes Iran's legal proceedings against Sharmahd while remaining silent about the violence affecting civilians in Gaza.
Since early October 2023, Israel has conducted severe military operations that have resulted in the deaths of over 43,000 people in the Gaza Strip and at least 2,700 more in Lebanon.
Israel is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its actions against the besieged enclave, where millions of Palestinians are displaced and suffering from famine, as well as critical shortages of medical supplies and other essentials.
Despite the ongoing genocide case against Israel at the ICJ, Berlin has resumed weapons exports to the country, disregarding its obligations under international law.
Germany has long been a strong ally of Israel, with officials consistently asserting that the country has a unique responsibility to ensure Israel’s security due to its historical Nazi past.
In 2023, the German government authorized €326.5 million (approximately $356 million) in military equipment and weapons for Israel, with this year's official figures falling below €15 million (around $16.4 million).
In a related statement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized Germany’s apparent hypocrisy.
Addressing Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Araghchi expressed disbelief at Europe’s claims to uphold human dignity while simultaneously supporting figures like Sharmahd.
He pointed out that Germany’s vocal support for such a terrorist contradicts its professed values. "Your colleagues in Europe openly and shamelessly support genocide in Gaza and killings in Lebanon," he asserted, challenging the EU to take genuine measures to stop the ongoing violence and humanitarian crises affecting Palestinians and Lebanese refugees.
Additionally, Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned Markus Potzel, the German ambassador to Tehran to discuss the interventionist comments made by some German officials regarding Iran's judicial authority.
The Iranian Ministry highlighted that supporting Sharmahd, who was involved in several terrorist acts contradicts Germany's assertions regarding the rule of law, human rights, accountability, and the fight against terrorism.
Furthermore, the Iranian Foreign Ministry emphasized that all individuals are equal under the law, stating that possessing the passport of a third country cannot be used as a justification for exempting any citizen from the laws of their home country.
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