Iran Pursuing US Police Killing of National: Spokesman
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi strongly condemned the “horrible” killing of a young Iranian-American by police in the US state of Virginia and said the ministry is seriously pursuing the case.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Qassemi expressed deep sorrow over the “horrible murder” of Bijan C. Ghaisar, who was shot by the United States Park Police on the evening of November 17 and died 10 days later.
He further deplored the violent action by the US police and offered his condolences to the bereaved family of the victim.
“The Foreign Ministry is seriously pursuing the issue to restore the rights of the Iranian citizens through existing official channels as soon as possible,” Qassemi added.
The US police alleged that the 25-year-old man had been involved in a hit-and-run accident. He died Monday night after 10 days on life support.
Ghaisar’s family said in a statement that he was shot three times in the head and suffered irreversible brain damage, adding that he had no weapons in his vehicle when shot.
“The reason for the murder of our son has yet to be determined,” the family said, adding, “though no reasoning could possibly justify the actions of the one or more Park Police officers involved in this unthinkable act.”
A witness told The Washington Post last week that she saw two officers approach the young man's vehicle and open fire at close range.
The Post added that the officers’ names and the reason for the shooting had not been released. It is also unclear whether the shooting was justifiable.
