Iran issues arrest warrant for Trump, asks Interpol to act on killing of General Soleimani

RT
Mon, 29 Jun 2020 11:28 UTC

© radiozamaneh.com/New York Daily News/Reuters/Edgar Su/KJN

Ali Alghasi-Mehr • US President Donald Trump

Iran has identified 36 people involved in the US assassination of General Qassem Soleimani and will seek their arrest through Interpol channels, media reports said. The list of suspects is topped by President Donald Trump.

The names of the suspects in the high-profile murder of Iran's elite Quds Force commander have been relayed to Interpol by Tehran's chief prosecutor Ali Alghasi-Mehr, Iranian media said on Monday. The official called the killing a "murder" and a "terrorist act."

"President Donald Trump is at the top of the list, and his prosecution will be pursued even after his term is over."

Soleimani was killed on January 3 during a visit to Iraq, when his car was hit by a US airstrike. The Trump administration justified the attack, which also killed a prominent Iraqi commander and several other people, saying the Iranian general was plotting attacks on US soldiers.

The popular general received a hero's funeral in Iran, with millions taking to the streets on the days of the ceremony. Soleimani is credited with organizing and supporting Shiite militias, which fought against the terrorist group Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. He was also considered to be a key figure in Tehran's confrontation with US influence in the Middle East.

The assassination lead to a surge in hostility toward the US in Iraq. Its parliament even voted to have all foreign troops removed from Iraqi territory. The instruction is yet to be implemented by the Iraqi government, however.

Trump ordered the assassination of Soleimani amid a period of increased tension in Iraq. The situation escalated after several attacks on bases hosting US forces and those held by Iran-backed Iraqi militias in what appeared to be a cycle of tit-for-tat retaliations.

Days before the killing of Soleimani the US embassy in Baghdad was ransacked by a crowd of protesters, who stopped short of attacking the staff of the diplomatic mission.

Comment: Interpol has refused, saying it can't act the on Iranian request due to 'rules and collaboration protocols'.

The Lyon-based organization [Interpol] told RIA Novosti if it receives a request to arrest Trump, its own rules will not allow it to act on it. Interpol acts as a liaison between law enforcement organizations in member states, helping them to collaborate with each other in solving crimes and arresting suspects trying to flee justice in a different jurisdiction.

Interpol maintains political neutrality and is barred by its charter from getting involved in activities of a political, military, religious, or racial nature, a spokesperson for the organization said.

This is a smart ruse by the Ayatollah, assuming he colluded with the Trump administration to off a dangerous political rival.