Iran's cultural attaché leaves Algeria after accusations of recruiting thousands of Shia Muslims

Controversial Iranian diplomat, Amir Mousavi has left Algeria after spending four years as the embassy’s cultural attaché.

“Goodbye, my beloved Algerians. Four years later, we bid farewell to beloved Algeria, and our hearts are full of love, affection and respect for this noble person Mousavi wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday”.

“Thank you for every good moment we spent among you and the good cooperation we received from the official and popular circles” he added.

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In early 2015, Mousavi was appointed as cultural attaché to Tehran’s embassy in Algeria.

Mousavi has been accused of spreading Shia ideology and of recruiting thousands of Shia Muslims inside Algeria on behalf of Iran.

In May 2018, Algerian officials and activists urged their government to expel Mousavi over his “dangerous and suspicious” actions in Algeria.