Official: Al-Qaeda Salafists Backed by Enemies Assassinated Prosecutor

“These acts of terror are in line with similar incidents orchestrated by Salafist groups, affiliated with al-Qaeda, which are supported by the enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Ali Younesi, presidential adviser on ethnic groups and minorities affairs, said.

Zabol Prosecutor Mousa Nouri and his driver were shot dead by armed men when they were driving to the city’s court at 8 am local time.

Zabol is a small town in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan and Balouchestan, close to the border with Afghanistan.

Younesi said participation of religious minorities and particularly the Sunni Muslims in all provincial and national decision making processes can help avet such incidents in the future.

"Preventive measure are the most important factors to avert the repetition of similar terrorist acts in the future; to this end we should get people involved in managing their own affairs and boost our intellligence measures," Younesi added.

The attack came less than two weeks after fourteen Iranian border guards lost their lives and six more were wounded in an ambush terrorist attack in the border region of Saravan in Sistan and Balouchestan province.

However, Ebrahim Hamidi, provincial justice department head, dismissed any link between the recent incidents and assasination of Mousa Nouri.

The National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iran’s Majlis has also launched a probe into the assassination and plans to send a delegation to Zabol.