Australia expels Iranian ambassador over antisemitic attacks in Melbourne, Sydney
Canberra: Australia has expelled Iran’s ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi after intelligence services concluded that Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was responsible for two antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said intelligence agencies had reached the “deeply disturbing conclusion” that the IRGC orchestrated the October 2024 firebombing of the Lewis Continental Café, a kosher café in Sydney’s Bondi, and the December 2024 arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. No casualties were reported in either incident, but Albanese described them as “extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression” aimed at undermining social cohesion in Australia.
The government has declared Ambassador Sadeghi persona non grata and ordered him, along with three other Iranian officials, to leave within seven days. Australia has also withdrawn its ambassador from Tehran and suspended embassy operations there. Foreign Minister Penny Wong underlined the gravity of the step, noting it was the first expulsion of a foreign ambassador by Australia since World War II. She warned Australians not to travel to Iran and urged those currently there to leave if it is safe to do so, citing “extremely limited” consular support.
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) chief Michael Burgess said a detailed investigation confirmed that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard directed at least two, and likely more, attacks on Jewish interests in Australia through a “complex web of proxies.” He said Iran’s actions were unacceptable, endangered lives, and threatened the country’s social fabric.
Daniel Aghion, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, welcomed the government’s findings but said the Jewish community remained anxious at being targeted “in such a callous and calculated way by a ruthless foreign force.” The Australian government has also announced plans to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, a move welcomed by Israel’s embassy in Canberra, which described it as a “strong and important step.” Iran’s embassy in Canberra has not immediately commented on the decision.
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Two held for 'firing' at BJP leader's house in Bengal
Kolkata (PTI): A day before the counting of votes for the West Bengal assembly elections, two persons were arrested on Sunday for allegedly being involved in a firing incident outside the residence of a BJP leader in North 24 Parganas district, police said.
BJP leader Kundan Singh lodged a police complaint, alleging that a few gunmen fired at his house in the Noapara constituency around Saturday midnight.
Based on the CCTV footage, the two accused were apprehended, a senior officer said.
BJP's Noapara candidate Arjun Singh, in a post on social media, claimed that around 12.05 am, two armed miscreants arrived on a motorcycle at the residence of Kundan Singh, a BJP functionary and secretary of the Barrackpore organisational district, with an "intent to kill him".
According to the BJP leader, the accused are residents of Garulia and are known criminals.
Their names as offenders had been submitted to the Election Commission, he said.
The police officer did not specify whether the two arrested persons were the same individuals named by Arjun Singh.
According to the complaint, one round of firing took place outside Kundan Singh's house, triggering panic in the area.
The BJP candidate also questioned the role of the police, claiming that one of the accused had been detained by the police on the polling day but was later released in the evening.
The Noapara assembly seat went to the polls on April 29.
Several BJP leaders alleged that attempts were being made to create an atmosphere of fear ahead of the counting and weaken the organisation of the opposition parties.
The counting of votes will take place on May 4. Polling for the West Bengal assembly elections was held on April 23 and April 29.
The BJP urged the Election Commission to intervene immediately to ensure peaceful counting.
TMC candidate Somnath Shyam rubbished Arjun Singh’s allegation, claiming that the BJP nominee had orchestrated the firing incident to divert attention from imminent defeat.
“Arjun Singh knows all the gangsters in the Barrackpore belt. Everyone knows about his links with the underworld. Let the police investigate the incident,” Shyam said.
