Baghdad, May 20, IRNA – Iranian young man of Kurdish descent who set himself on fire in front of UN office in Erbil on Tuesday, has been offered support by Iranian consulate.
Iran’s consulate in Erbil expressed regret about the incident in a statement released on Wednesday and said that it had offered the man in question with consular support.
A delegation from Iran’s consulate went to the hospital where Behzad Mahmoudi, the self-immolated, was under care and expressed readiness to move the man to Iran for medical care, according to the statement.
Iranian consulate also said in the statement that it expected Interior Ministry of Kurdistan Region to investigate the incident and hold those involved accountable.
Nasrollah Rashnoudi, Iran’s Consul-General in Erbil, told IRNA that they have taken preparatory measure to bring Behzad’s parents to Erbil.
Mahmoudi showed up in front of the United Nations office in Erbil on Tuesday and stated some complaining word before pouring gasoline on himself.
While he was trying to ignite, some reporters with camera started to film without taking any action to save him. But after he managed to start the fire, one of the reporters helped him lately.
Mahmoudi has been reportedly complaining about difficult conditions in his life and protesting the UN office for its negligence despite several times he had asked for help.
The reporters filming Mahmoudi setting himself on fire has been widely criticized, including by journalist associations in Iraq and local authorities, for their inaction.
