German book fair rejects Islamic centre as exhibitor over Iran links

Germany's Leipzig Book Fair has refused to allow the Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH) to be an exhibitor at this year's event due to its alleged close ties to the Iranian government, reported dpa.

"According to the Hamburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution [the domestic intelligence agency], the Islamic Centre Hamburg is closely linked to the Iranian regime and supports actions that violate human rights," the fair announced on Twitter.

"For this reason, we have today rejected the registration of the Islamic Centre Hamburg for the Leipzig Book Fair."

The book fair, it said, stands for freedom and human rights, and supports women's rights. "We underline this stance with our events," it said.

Germany's Culture Minister Claudia Roth said it was up to the event's organizers to decide who took part, but added "an organization that is obviously closely linked to the criminal Mullah regime in Iran has no business at the Leipzig Book Fair."