WANA (May 27) – Majid Rezapanah, Head of the Consular and Judicial Support Department at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has confirmed that the Islamic Republic has formally requested the release of Hojjatoleslam Gholamreza Ghasemian, an Iranian citizen detained in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj pilgrimage.

 

Hojjatoleslam Gholamreza Ghasemian, one of the judges of the “Mahfel” program, was arrested in Saudi Arabia while performing the Hajj pilgrimage. According to available information, the release of a video clip criticizing the situation in Saudi Arabia led to his arrest.

 

Rezapanah stated that immediately upon learning of Ghasemian’s arrest in Mecca, the consular section of the Foreign Ministry initiated follow-up procedures through Iran’s Consulate General in Jeddah, in line with its responsibility to protect the rights of Iranian nationals abroad.

 

He emphasized that from the very first moments of the arrest, Iran’s diplomatic and consular mission in Saudi Arabia took action, issuing an official note requesting Ghasemian’s release.

 

“Thanks to the diligent efforts of our representatives and the Consul General in Jeddah, there have been two consular visits with Mr. Ghasemian so far, and a third meeting is scheduled to take place within the next few hours,” Rezapanah added.