Iranian diplomat who defected in Belgium applies for political asylum in Norway

OSLO, Norway – OSLO, Norway (AP) — An Iranian diplomat who quit his job at his country's embassy in Belgium says he will seek political asylum in Norway.

Farzad Farhangian said Tuesday he wants to "take a stand in support of the Iranian people and the (opposition) movement."

Farhangian left his post Friday and flew to Norway, where he joined Mohammed Reza Heydari, a former Iranian diplomat in Oslo who defected in January. Farhangian is the third Iranian diplomat to have defected in Europe this year. On Monday, the No.2 man at Iran's mission in Helsinki said he would apply for political asylum in Finland after resigning last week.