Iran has officially lodged a protest with Moscow over the “violent” arrest of two Iranian students at Kazan Federal University, located in the Russian city of Kazan. The incident, which occurred on Friday, has sparked significant diplomatic tension between the two countries, despite their historically close ties.
According to Iranian state media, the two students were visiting a visa extension center at the university when they were allegedly subjected to “inhumane and unprofessional beating” by the Russian police. The statement from Iran’s consulate in Kazan, reported by the IRNA news agency, condemned the incident and stated that the students were arrested in connection with a physical altercation among students at the university.
In response to the incident, Iran submitted a formal “protest note” to the Russian Foreign Ministry, condemning the police’s treatment of its citizens. The Iranian government has demanded “explanations” for the violent actions and sought accountability from the responsible authorities. The two students were released later on Friday after the intervention of Iran’s consulate.
The Kazan police, however, provided a different account, stating that a conflict among students had escalated into a physical confrontation. Officers reportedly detained the individuals involved in the fight, though the police did not specify the nationalities of those arrested.
The regional Investigative Committee also confirmed the detention of two foreign nationals for allegedly using violence against a representative of the authorities.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has reportedly followed up on the issue multiple times, with Tehran’s Ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, condemning the treatment of Iranian students. Jalali expressed his concerns on social media, calling for accountability from Russian authorities and emphasizing that any form of mistreatment of Iranian students would not be tolerated.
This diplomatic dispute adds to growing tensions between the two countries, as Iran continues to seek assurances of the safety and dignity of its citizens abroad.
