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Iran says poisoning Saudi citizens most likely deliberate

Society Materials 8 June 2015 12:40 (UTC +04:00)
Iranian Health Minister, Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi said that the Saudi Arabian citizens’ poisoning incident, which left four dead, is most likely a deliberate act.
Iran says poisoning Saudi citizens most likely deliberate

Baku, Azerbaijan, June 8

By Umid Niayesh - Trend:

Iranian Health Minister, Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi said that the Saudi Arabian citizens' poisoning incident, which left four dead, is most likely a deliberate act.

The incident occurred on June 7 when 33 Saudi citizens were hospitalized with poisoning symptoms. The Saudi pilgrims were staying at a hotel in the holy city of Mashhad in Khorassan Razavi province, which houses the shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Imam of Shia Muslims.

Ghazizadeh Hashemi said that the Saudi citizens were poisoned as a result of the use of pesticides in their hotel rooms, Iran's Fars news agency reported June 8.

He further said that the condition of seven pilgrims still remains serious.

The Iranian minister also asked all governmental bodies to handle the issue seriously.

"Considering some problems that Iran has with Saudi Arabia immediate measures should be taken on the issue and the details should be shared with public," Ghazizadeh Hashemi said, adding anyone who committed offence on the issue should be dealt with.

Meanwhile, Mashhad Prosecutor Gholam Ali Sadeghi said June 7 that the preliminary investigation rules out foul play in the deaths of the Saudi citizens.

"In the initial investigation, no evidence showing the incident was a deliberate act was found" the prosecutor said.

He further said that a special interrogator has been appointed to investigate all aspects and probable causes of the incident.

Millions of pilgrims from different countries annually flock to Mashhad to visit the holy shrine of Imam Reza.

Edited by CN

Follow the author on Twitter: @UmidNiayesh

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