Canberra stopped Tehran from monitoring an Iranian-Australian national linked to the protests over the death of Mahsa Amini
MADRID, 14 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Australian Government has accused Iran on Tuesday of trying to spy on Iranian citizens living in Australian territory after national protests over the death of Mahsa Amini.
This has been stated by the Australian Minister of the Interior, Clare O’Neil, announcing that the Executive of which she is a part will bring to light campaigns of foreign interference in Australia by publicly naming the countries responsible for them, as reported by ABC.
Iran has been the first of the countries that O’Neil has cited, when he has reported that the Australian Intelligence and Security Organization (ASIO, for its acronym in English) prevented an Iranian government operation in Australia targeting an Iranian-Australian related to the protests.
“ASIO interrupted the activities of the people who had carried out the surveillance of the house of an Iranian-Australian, as well as an extensive investigation of this individual and his family,” said the head of the Interior in statements to the press.
“I am pleased to say that our agencies noticed immediately. ASIO tracked the operation and closed it immediately,” he added, according to the Bloomberg agency.
According to O’Neil, the Tehran authorities tried to monitor the home of the Iranian-Australian citizen, including conducting investigations on his friends and family.
Given this, he has warned that Australia will not stand “idly by” by allowing Australians or visitors to the country to be monitored and tracked by foreign governments.
“Australia will not tolerate hostile acts in the form of surveillance, harassment or intimidation against its citizens, added the head of the Interior portfolio.
