A Damascus-based political thinker has condemned the recent abduction of several Iranian pilgrims in Syria by unknown armed gangs, stressing that the United Nation must secure their release, Press TV reports.
On Thursday, 11 Iranian pilgrims were kidnapped by armed gangs in Syria while en route from the capital Damascus to the northwestern city of Aleppo. The incident occurred when the bus carrying Iranian pilgrims was stormed by unidentified gunmen.
The gunmen have contacted the relatives of one abducted passenger in Tehran, confirming the abduction of the Iranian nationals and demanding an unspecified ransom.
Regarding the incident, George Jabour told Press TV on Friday that “It is the responsibility … of the United Nations and also of the Syrian government to liberate those [Iranian] people who are kidnapped [in Syria].”
When asked about the identity and origin of the armed gangs which take the Iranian pilgrims hostage, Jabour said, “This is a good question and the Syrian National Council should answer it.”
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast also immediately condemned the kidnapping of the Iranian pilgrims in Syria, calling the act inhumane and unjustifiable.
In December, five Iranian electrical engineers were abducted on the way to a power plant in the troubled Syrian city of Homs by unknown gunmen.
Two more Iranian experts, who were trying to clarify the situation of the five abducted engineers, have also been kidnapped and there has been no report on their whereabouts.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March 2011.
The Syrian government says “outlaws, saboteurs and armed terrorist groups” are responsible for the unrest, which is being orchestrated from abroad.
