FO denies report of Germany handing over suspects involved in consulate attack

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Sunday denied the authenticity of a report circulating on social media about Germany handing over those involved in the attack on Pakistani consulate in Frankfurt to Islamabad.

When asked whether the suspects involved in the vandalism were handed over to Pakistan, as being claimed in a report on social media, FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch termed the report “fake news”.

Reports indicated that German authorities had allowed Afghan nationals to hold a peaceful protest. However, the demonstration’s participants turned violent, lobbed stones at the consulate building and removed the country’s flag, leading to heightened tensions. After arresting two Afghan nationals, German police had anticipated more arrests as they continued to identify additional protesters with the help of video footage.

A day after the incident, Pakistan condemned the attack by the gang of extremists on its consulate as well as the failure of German authorities to protect the sanctity and security of the premises of its consular mission. Meanwhile, Pakistan had summoned Germany’s senior most diplomat to register a strong protest over the incident.