The Pakistan’s Foreign Office has categorically dismissed recent social media claims as “fake news” that Germany has handed over the suspects involved in the attack on the Pakistani Consulate in Frankfurt.
On July 20 some individuals attacked the Pakistani Consulate during an Afghan-led protest in Frankfurt. German police has reportedly arrested two suspects in connection with the attack.
Following the attack, German Ambassador Alfred Grannas was summoned by Pakistan on July 21 to lodge a formal protest. A protest note was also delivered, in which Pakistan demanded that Germany ensure the arrest and prosecution of the attackers. The German government has vowed to protect the Pakistani diplomatic staff and property there.
In these regards, the statement that came from the Foreign Office of Pakistan immediately after the attack recalled the obligation of Germany under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963, for the protection of foreign embassies and consulates there. It condemned the assault as a grave breach of security and called for those responsible for the act to be held accountable, along with the security personnel who might have shown negligence.
The Embassy of Pakistan in Berlin has condemned the attack and called for the German authorities to take legal action against the perpetrators. Coordination with the German government for further steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future, the embassy has advised Pakistani nationals in Germany to stay calm.
This incident involved a demonstration of 8 to 10 Afghans who, against police instructions not to go beyond a certain boundary set for protesting, pelted stones at the consulate and tried to remove the Pakistani flag. The police responded by deploying additional officers and arresting two protesters. Further arrests are anticipated as the authorities review video evidence to identify all involved.
The German government has ensured that proper investigation into the matter will be carried and the situation corrected.
