Argentina asks Qatar to detain top Iranian official accused of 1994 Jewish centre bombing

The justice department in Argentina has requested that Qatar apprehend a senior Iranian official for his involvement in a 1994 bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires, in which 85 people were killed, Reuters reported.

A federal judge late Monday requested the detention of Iran Vice President for Economic Affairs Dr Mohsen Rezaei Mirghaed, who is currently in Qatar, so he can be tried in Argentina.

Qatar is not currently subject to extradition to Argentina.

The investigation into the 1994 bombing of the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) building, which occurred when an explosives-laden truck detonated outside the building, has stalled.

The judge’s decision to order Mohammad to be held in detention stems from the fact that he was present at the meeting where the AMIA bombing was planned, and that he allegedly assisted the bombers by driving them to the scene of the crime, according to the official letter requesting detention.

No one has been prosecuted in either the 1994 bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires or the 2003 bombing of a Jewish community centre that killed 85 people. Iran is said to have masterminded both assaults, but no one has been brought to trial.

Because he was at the meeting where the AMIA bombing was decided, his participation is proven, and that is the basis for the charges against him, Justice Alberto Mario Rafecas wrote in a letter requesting his detention.

Image Credit: AP/Vahid Salemi