WANA (Feb 04) – Sweden has accused Iran of using a Shiite mosque in Stockholm for espionage against the country and Iranian “migrants” residing there.

 

Sweden’s Minister for Social Affairs, Jakob Forssmed, claimed on the social media platform X that Iran was using the Imam Ali Islamic Center in Stockholm as a base for espionage and activities threatening Sweden’s security.

 

Forssmed, without providing concrete evidence, further stated, “This is a very serious matter. Sweden has halted all government funding to this center.” He also mentioned that additional measures were being taken but did not elaborate on the details.

 

He added, “Public funds should not be used for activities that contradict fundamental democratic values.”

 

Imam Ali Islamic Center Denies Allegations

In response, the Imam Ali Islamic Center rejected these accusations in a statement on its website, emphasizing that it is an independent organization with no ties to political parties or governments.

The center also denied receiving funds from foreign governments and asserted, “The Imam Ali Islamic Center maintains strict oversight to ensure that our premises are not used for any criminal activities.”

 

Iran Protests Arrest of Center’s Director

The Swedish government’s accusations come amid tensions over the recent arrest of Mohsen Hakim Elahi, the director of the Imam Ali Islamic Center in Stockholm. On Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Swedish ambassador in Tehran to protest the detention.

 

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei condemned the Swedish government’s allegations, calling them “baseless.” He added, “The recent actions by Sweden are not constructive. It appears that certain external influences are shaping these decisions, which do not serve the interests of Iran or Sweden.”

 

Baghaei stressed that no charges or criminal offenses had been found against Hakim Elahi, calling his detention “arbitrary” and “inconsistent with international law and human rights principles.”

 

“We have formally expressed our objections to Swedish officials. Yesterday, the Swedish ambassador was summoned, and we conveyed our serious concerns,” Baghaei said.

 

He also criticized Sweden for not allowing Iranian diplomats or Hakim Elahi’s family to visit him, calling the restriction “questionable and unacceptable.”