Netherlands has no consular access to Dutch man detained in Iran: government

The Netherlands said on Wednesday it had no consular access to a Dutch man detained in Iran, where authorities say they have arrested dozens of foreigners in connection with mass protests.

"It is disappointing that, despite continuous pressure, the Iranian authorities have so far not granted consular access to this Dutch detainee," the Dutch government said in a letter to parliament.

Iran has repeatedly accused outside forces of stirring up widespread protests triggered by the death in custody of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian Mahsa Amini. Her Kurdish first name can be spelt "Zhina" or "Jina".

Amini died three days after her arrest by the country's morality police for allegedly breaching Iran's strict dress code for women.

"Iran has not shared any evidence of the alleged foreign interference," the Dutch government said.

On Tuesday Iran's judiciary said it had arrested 40 foreigners during the two months of protests, accusing them of being "implicated in the recent riots".

It did not specify their nationalities, or when or where they were arrested.

In September, Iranian authorities announced the arrest of nine foreigners in connection with the protests, including someone from the Netherlands.