Jan 29 2021

This article is part of our series that explores Tehran’s terror activities and Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi‘s role in a bombing plot against the opposition rally in Paris in June 2018.

In an online conference hosted by the International Committee in Search of Justice (ISJ) on January 28, experts called on the European States, particularly High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Joseph Borrell, to adopt a firm approach against Iran’s state terrorism.

Notably, on February 4, a court in Antwerp of Belgium would issue its verdict against senior Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi and his three accomplices on charges of terrorism.

On July 1, 2018, European law enforcement arrested this terror cell during a joint anti-terrorism operation. German authorities detained Assadollah Assadi in Bayern State after delivering 1lb of TATP explosive material. Belgian and French security forces arrested Assadi’s accomplices on their territories.

Since then, EU prosecutors revealed more evidence and documents about the involvement of top Iranian authorities in the case. Earlier, the Iranian opposition coalition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) disclosed that Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) was behind a bombing plot against the opposition’s rally on June 30, 2018.

“As I emphasized during my seven-hour testimony, the SNSC presided over by [President] Hassan Rouhani, made the decision to bomb the Iranian Resistance’s annual gathering at the Villepinte, and the regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei approved it,” NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi said, adding, “Khamenei, Rouhani, [Foreign Minister] Javad Zarif, and the mullahs’ Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi must face justice for decades of crimes and terrorism.”

Alejo Vidal-Quadras, former Vice-President of the European Parliament

As the first speaker, Alejo Vidal-Quadras said, “We have been very critical of the appeasement policy toward Iran simply because it doesn’t work. This policy does not work, has never worked, is not working and will always be counterproductive.”

“We know that the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the regime President Hassan Rouhani and the always-smiling Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, all three knew about the attack, all three agreed to the attack, and all three ordered it. If you reflect on this, you can imagine the scope of this attack,” Vidal-Quadras said.

Giulio Terzi, former Italian Foreign Minister

“The [Assadollah Assadi’s case] is not a case among others, not just a judiciary event. It is a turning point for understanding in full of how Iran and its criminal structure of terrorist activity threaten Europe,” said Giulio Terzi.

Terzi also highlighted the need to further investigate Tehran’s terror network in Europe. “Only four people have been discovered. What about the other people on this network who remain in Europe? A considerable network of criminals are waiting for orders to carry out terrorist activities,” he said.

“Europe’s lack of proper action has emboldened Iranian authorities in pursuing their malign activities. The Iranian government has been convinced that it has impunity no matter what it does in Europe,” Terzi said, emphasizing the necessity of reviewing EU policy toward Tehran.

Struan Stevenson, former MEP from Scotland

“As a diplomat, you can’t make hundreds of visits to different countries without permission from your ambassador,” said Struan Stevenson, referring to Assadi’s track record of constantly visiting European countries to coordinate with his network of agents.

“And the ambassador takes his command from Tehran. There’s no doubt that this plot was ordered by Khamenei, Rouhani, Zarif, and Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi. The EU must hold all of them to account. But there has been a deafening silence from Europe. Borrell has typically said nothing,” he added.

“The trial of Assadollah Assadi is the tip of a massive terrorist iceberg. The regime uses its embassies as terror cells for bomb attacks and kidnappings,” Stevenson emphasized.

Paulo Casaca, former MEP from Portugal

“The mullahs have relied on the lack of political courage and honesty of those in charge in European countries. As one of the tens of thousands of potential victims in the Paris attack, I would like to thank Belgian authorities for their professional handling of the case,” said Paulo Casaca.

Casaca also emphasized that the Iranian regime has banked on the lack of political courage and honesty of those in charge in European countries to expand its terror activities.

“European institutions should reinforce European unity, uphold the rule of law, and ensure the protection of values that keep our countries together, including freedom and protection from terrorism. They must not bow to foreign terrorist powers that want us to bow before them. The regime must not enjoy impunity in causing terrorism,” Casaca added.

Furthermore, in his remarks, Former Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi acknowledged a letter signed by European dignitaries, calling their leaders to adopt a firm approach toward Tehran’s terror activities.

“I and around 20 former members of European governments from 12 governments signed a letter of proposals to the President of European Commission, to EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell and other leaders in the EU, and urged them to take firm measures against the terrorist activities of the Iranian regime,” Terzi said.

Source » irannewsupdate

You may want to read