The Australian government on Tuesday accused Iran of trying to spy on Iranian citizens based on Australian soil following domestic protests over the death of Mahsa Amini.
This was stated by Australian Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil, announcing that her government will expose campaigns of foreign interference in Australia by publicly naming the countries responsible for them, as reported by ABC.
Iran was the first of the countries O’Neil cited, when she reported that the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) prevented an Iranian government operation in Australia targeting an Iranian-Australian linked to the protests.
«ASIO disrupted the activities of the individuals who had conducted surveillance of the home of an Iranian-Australian, as well as an extensive investigation of this individual and his family,» the Home Affairs Minister told reporters.
«I am pleased to say that our agencies took immediate notice. ASIO tracked the operation and shut it down immediately,» she added, as reported by Bloomberg.
According to O’Neil, the authorities in Tehran tried to monitor the Iranian-Australian citizen’s home, including making inquiries about his friends and family.
Given this, he has warned that Australia will not stand «idly by» by allowing Australians or visitors to the country to be monitored and tracked by foreign governments.
«Australia will not tolerate hostile acts in the form of surveillance, harassment or intimidation against its citizens,» she added.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
