Iran Condemns Violence in Sofia Mosque, Slams EU

The nationalists rally at a Sofia mosque last Friday quickly escalated into a violent clash Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

Iran's foreign ministry has condemned the attack against Muslims in a Sofia mosque last week, which left several worshipers injured, ISNA agency reported.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast raised grave concerns over escalating anti-Islamic waves in Europe and called it an "instance of human rights violation".

He then criticized the EU for lack of any pre-emptive measure on the issue as calling for European authorities to create a safe place for their citizens free of racist tendencies through spreading respect for religious minorities' rights.

He also called on the Bulgarian authorities to punish the attackers as soon as possible.

According to the article there are grave concerns that the Muslim community could be deprived of their constitutional rights of religious expression if the extremist Ataka party's leader takes power in the upcoming presidential election.

On Friday far-right extremists from the Ataka (Attack) party assaulted praying Muslims. The outburst occurred while the nationalists led by their leader Volen Siderov staged a rally near the Banya Bashi mosque in downtown Sofia protesting against the use of loudspeakers by the mosque.

Several people ended up injured and several Ataka supporters were apprehended by the police.

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