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B’nai B’rith International condemns the invitation of Iranian Minister of Defense Ahmad Vahidi by the Bolivian Defense Ministry. Vahidi has been accused of being one of the officials behind the July 18, 1994, attack on the Argentine-Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) building. The devastating bomb attack on the Argentinean Jewish community killed 85 and wounded 300. Since 2007, Vahidi has been on an Interpol wanted list for his connection with the horrendous attack.

“Bolivia’s welcoming of an Iranian official accused of planning and executing a terrorist attack against a neighboring country is outrageous,” said B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said.
The Bolivian government apologized to the Argentine government and stated that the Defense Ministry was not aware of Vahidi’s affiliation with the bombing. Vahidi was asked to leave the country on May 31.
“I find it hard to believe that no one in the Bolivian government or Defense Ministry knew of Vahidi’s connection to this terrorist attack,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “Bolivia’s close relationship with Iran, a regime that sponsors terror worldwide, is despicable.”

B’nai B’rith, with its deep ties throughout Latin America, has long demanded that those responsible for this attack be brought to justice.