{"id":17881,"date":"2020-11-27T05:51:34","date_gmt":"2020-11-27T10:51:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=17881"},"modified":"2020-11-27T05:51:34","modified_gmt":"2020-11-27T10:51:34","slug":"iran-diplomat-to-stand-trial-in-belgium-over-france-bomb-plot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2020\/11\/27\/iran-diplomat-to-stand-trial-in-belgium-over-france-bomb-plot\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran diplomat to stand trial in Belgium over &#8216;France bomb plot&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p><b class=\"css-14iz86j-BoldText e5tfeyi0\">An Iranian diplomat and a Belgian couple are due to go on trial in Belgium on Friday in connection with an alleged plot to bomb a rally held by an exiled Iranian opposition group in France.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>On 28 June 2018, two Belgian nationals of Iranian origin &#8211; a husband and wife identified as Amir S and Nasimeh N &#8211; drove from the Belgian city of Antwerp to Luxembourg, for what appeared to be a holiday, according to Belgian police.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>At a Pizza Hut restaurant in an old part of Luxembourg City, they are said to have met an Iranian man in his late 40s who allegedly gave them a small package. Afterwards, they left the city.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>What none of them realised was that their every move was being watched by European intelligence agencies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"unordered-list-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<div class=\"css-1pzprxn-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi3\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li><a class=\"css-yidnqd-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-45722523\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">France blames Iran for Paris bomb plot<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"css-yidnqd-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-44696311\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Iran diplomat held over Paris bomb plot<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>The man the couple are alleged to have met inside the Pizza Hut was Assadollah Assadi, an Iranian diplomat serving as third counsellor at the country&#8217;s embassy in Vienna, Austria.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Belgian police say he handed over a package containing half a kilogram (1.1lb) of the explosive TATP and a detonator, with which he allegedly wanted the couple to bomb a rally of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in the French town of Villepinte, near Paris, on 30 June.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i80\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"css-1759m9z-StyledFigure e34k3c20\">\n<div class=\"css-kwaqyc-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c22\"><span class=\"css-1hq4gmv-Placeholder e16icw910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\" src=\"https:\/\/c.files.bbci.co.uk\/11283\/production\/_115657207_gettyimages-988409268.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/11283\/production\/_115657207_gettyimages-988409268.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/11283\/production\/_115657207_gettyimages-988409268.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/11283\/production\/_115657207_gettyimages-988409268.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/11283\/production\/_115657207_gettyimages-988409268.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/11283\/production\/_115657207_gettyimages-988409268.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the NCRI, waves a flag at the NCRI's &quot;Free Iran 2018 - the Alternative&quot; event in Villepinte, France (30 June 2018)\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"css-1rnnz6t-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c21\">Maryam Rajavi is president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (Image: NurPhoto)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The NCRI is the political arm of the Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK), an exiled Iranian opposition group that backs the overthrow of the Islamic Republic and is designated a terrorist organisation by Iran.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>In the 1980s, the MEK carried out a string of deadly attacks against the Iranian regime, including one that killed the president and prime minister. In response, Iranian security forces launched a crackdown on MEK members and sympathisers in which thousands died.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Over the years, the MEK has evolved from an armed group into an effective lobbying group, winning some powerful friends, including US President Donald Trump&#8217;s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Mr Giuliani was a keynote speaker at the NCRI event in June 2018, which thousands of people attended.<\/p>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>The alleged plot to attack the rally was thwarted when police forces in three European countries made\u00a0<a class=\"css-yidnqd-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-44696311\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">a string of arrests in simultaneous operations three days after the Pizza Hut meeting<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Amir S and Nasimeh N were arrested in Brussels while driving to France; German police arrested Mr Assadi in Bavaria as he returned to Austria; and French police arrested an Iranian man in Paris, who was accused of being an accomplice. All four suspects were accused of attempted terrorist murder and preparing an act of terrorism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Belgian prosecutors say explosives and a detonator were found hidden inside Nasimeh N&#8217;s handbag. They believe the intended target was the MEK&#8217;s leadership and high-profile guests at the rally.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p><a class=\"css-yidnqd-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-45722523\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">France accuses Iran&#8217;s intelligence ministry<\/a>\u00a0of being behind the alleged plot.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>In October 2018, it froze the assets of two suspected Iranian operatives &#8211; believed to be Mr Assadi and Saeid Hashemi Moghadam, who sources said was the head of operations at the intelligence ministry in Tehran &#8211; in response to what it called &#8220;this extremely serious act envisaged on our territory&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i80\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"css-1759m9z-StyledFigure e34k3c20\">\n<div class=\"css-kwaqyc-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c22\"><span class=\"css-1hq4gmv-Placeholder e16icw910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\" src=\"https:\/\/c.files.bbci.co.uk\/7909\/production\/_115658903_gettyimages-989822988.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/7909\/production\/_115658903_gettyimages-989822988.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/7909\/production\/_115658903_gettyimages-989822988.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/7909\/production\/_115658903_gettyimages-989822988.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/7909\/production\/_115658903_gettyimages-989822988.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/7909\/production\/_115658903_gettyimages-989822988.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (3rd left) walks with Swiss Federal President Alain Berset (C) at an airport in Kloten on 2 July 2018\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"css-1rnnz6t-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c21\">Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Switzerland days after the arrests took place (Image: AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The four Iranians were arrested just days ahead of a rare visit to Switzerland and Austria by Iran&#8217;s President, Hassan Rouhani.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>With the July visit, Mr Rouhani was hoping to save the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, which President Trump had abandoned in May 2018.<\/p>\n<p>Iran&#8217;s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JZarif\/status\/1013813850112692226\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">tweeted that the arrests were a &#8220;sinister false flag ploy&#8221;<\/a> by the NCRI to drive a wedge between Tehran and European nations.<\/p>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Mr Zarif later demanded the immediate release of Mr Assadi, but\u00a0<a class=\"css-yidnqd-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-45705799\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">a German court ruled that his diplomatic immunity did not apply in Germany<\/a>\u00a0because he had been arrested while on holiday outside his host state of Austria. The ruling meant Germany could extradite him to Belgium to face trial.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Claude Monique, a former French intelligence agent, says Mr Assadi was the head of Iranian intelligence in Europe and that he was tasked with monitoring Iranian opposition groups there.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Western intelligence sources say the Belgians were tipped off about the alleged bomb by a partner agency. It is thought to have been the Mossad, Israel&#8217;s intelligence service.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>A well-connected source inside Iran told the BBC that he believed Israeli informants in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards had given the information to the Mossad.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i80\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"css-1759m9z-StyledFigure e34k3c20\">\n<div class=\"css-kwaqyc-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c22\"><span class=\"css-1hq4gmv-Placeholder e16icw910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\" src=\"https:\/\/c.files.bbci.co.uk\/16EA9\/production\/_115656839_gettyimages-996209516.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/16EA9\/production\/_115656839_gettyimages-996209516.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/16EA9\/production\/_115656839_gettyimages-996209516.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/16EA9\/production\/_115656839_gettyimages-996209516.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/16EA9\/production\/_115656839_gettyimages-996209516.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/16EA9\/production\/_115656839_gettyimages-996209516.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) hold placards reading &quot;Deliver the Iranian 'diplomat'-terrorist to Belgium&quot; in Berlin, Germany (11 July 2018)\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"css-1rnnz6t-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c21\">NCRI supporters in Germany demanded the extradition of Assadollah Assadi to Belgium (Image: AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Supporters of the Iranian government say it would not have been logical for Iranian intelligence to attack the NCRI rally just before President Rouhani visited Europe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>They blame foreign agents and rogue elements inside Iran.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian ambassador to Germany who is now a research scholar at Princeton University, said &#8220;bad actors&#8221; inside Iran were trying to undermine the country&#8217;s image abroad.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&#8220;I would be really sorry for my country if my supreme leader, my president and national security council all decided to build excellent relations with Europe and some rogue elements undid it. But you cannot blame the government and the state,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Belgian prosecutors believe the plot was approved by the Iranian leadership in Tehran.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>The Belgian couple were very active within the MEK, according to the group. It says Amir S was a former member and there are photographs showing him standing beside leaders of the group.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Belgian prosecutors say Amir S was recruited by Iranian intelligence in 2012 and that he met Mr Assadi several times in Germany and Austria. He was allegedly being paid by Iran.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Amir S and Nasimeh N admit that they received a package from Mr Assadi, but they deny having knowledge about its contents and say they were deceived by the diplomat. Nasimeh N says she believed the package contained fireworks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Mr Assadi refuses to co-operate with the investigation and contests the charges against him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i83\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&#8220;His defence will raise a number of procedural issues, including the question of his diplomatic immunity, since it is not disputed that he had diplomatic status, at least at the time of the facts,&#8221;\u00a0<a class=\"css-yidnqd-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/iran-paris-trials-antwerp-france-468475da611c76267a499b0c19c6c990\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">his lawyer, Dimitri de Beco, told the Associated Press earlier this week<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-55086147\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\">An Iranian diplomat and a Belgian couple are due to go on trial in Belgium on Friday in connection with an alleged plot to bomb a rally held by an exiled Iranian opposition group in <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2020\/11\/27\/iran-diplomat-to-stand-trial-in-belgium-over-france-bomb-plot\/\" title=\"Iran diplomat to stand trial in Belgium over &#8216;France bomb plot&#8217;\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17882,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,6],"tags":[7464,4796,2913,564,7465,7466],"class_list":{"0":"post-17881","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"category-world","9":"tag-antwerp","10":"tag-belgium","11":"tag-france","12":"tag-iran","13":"tag-luxembourg","14":"tag-villepinte","15":"pmpro-has-access"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17881","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17881"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17881\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17883,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17881\/revisions\/17883"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17882"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17881"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17881"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17881"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}