Iranian consul to Norway seeks asylum

OSLO, Norway, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The former Iranian consul in Oslo says he has applied for political asylum in Norway.

Former Iranian Consul General Mohammad Reza Heydari says he resigned from his position earlier this month to protest the Iranian government's use of violence against demonstrators that left at least eight people dead.

Heydari told the Norwegian broadcaster NRK that it was the Iranian authorities' treatment of demonstrators around Christmas which "made me realize that my conscience would not allow me to continue in my job."