India Police Arrest Iran-Linked Journalist for Attack on Israeli Diplomat

Posted March 7th, 2012 at 8:50 am (UTC-5)
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Indian police say they have arrested a local journalist working for an Iranian news agency for possible connections to last month's bombing of an Israeli diplomatic vehicle.

Mohammed Kazmi appeared in a New Delhi court Wednesday, a day after his arrest. Authorities claim Kazmi had been in touch with a suspect they believe may have stuck a magnetic bomb on an Israeli diplomat's car in the Indian capital on February 13.

Kazmi's lawyer told reporters that his client is innocent and “not an international terrorist.” He said the journalist's ties to certain Iranians come from his years covering the Iraq war from Iran.

Kazmi's arrest is the first in connection with the February 13 attack. The incident also coincided with an attack on an Israeli diplomat in Tbilisi, Georgia. A day later, three explosions hit Bangkok, Thailand, one of which seriously wounded an Iranian man.

Israel accuses Iran of being behind all three attacks as part of its covert campaign of state-sponsored terrorism against the Jewish state.

Tensions between the two countries have reached new heights as Israel threatens to take military action against Iran's nuclear facilities. Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.