“The ministry of foreign affairs has summoned the Iraqi ambassador to Portugal to discuss the incident his sons are accused of,” Ahmad Jamal said.

The incident happened last week in Ponte de Sor, central Portugal, following a brawl between locals and pupils at a nearby flight school where one of the twins is enrolled, according to Portuguese media.

A source close to the investigation said the 17-year-old sons of the Iraqi ambassador in Lisbon, Saad Mohamed Ridha, were arrested but then released because they had diplomatic immunity.

The boy suffered a fractured skull and other extensive injuries and has been placed in an artificial coma, local media said.

The foreign ministry also said it was following the case “with close concern” and had launched a probe to gather “details concerning this incident and gather information from mass media.”

The foreign ministry said it was keen to maintain “its good reputation” and the solid relations it enjoys with Portugal.