An European delegation cancelled a planned trip to Iran, after their request to meeting two jailed activists was refused.
Iran's ambassador told the EU that it was 'impossible to guarantee that the members of the European Parliament could meet jailed human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and filmmaker Jafar Panahi', reported Reuters.
In a written statement, Martin Schulz, the President of the European Parliament, said:
"I deeply regret that permission to meet the Sakharov laureates was withheld. The European Parliament is nevertheless determined to continue its support for and involvement with the Iranian civil society."
On Friday, the EU had awarded the two activists the Sakharov prize for human rights and freedom of thought.
