The government of Oman announced on Friday that a prisoner exchange between Belgium and Iran was underway. The release of Tehran’s convicted terrorist diplomat, Assadollah Assadi, has been strongly condemned by the Iranian opposition coalition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
The Belgian Constitutional Court had previously ruled that Brussels must inform the victims before transferring the convict to Iran, giving them the opportunity to bring the issue back to court. However, Assadi was released without the victims being informed, in violation of the court order.
Assadi was convicted for organizing and commanding a terrorist attack targeting a NCRI rally near Paris back in 2018, later described as the biggest criminal act in Europe after World War II.
“The release of the terrorist, who organized and commanded the biggest criminal act in Europe after the Second World War by violating the Court’s order, is a shameful ransom for terrorism and hostage-taking,” The NCRI warned. “This will embolden the religious fascism ruling Iran to continue its crimes in Iran through repression and regional and international terrorism. From May 1 to May 25, 127 people were executed in Iran.”
The NCRI strongly condemns Assadi’s release and calls for justice to be served. From May 1 to May 25, 127 people were executed in Iran, highlighting the regime’s ongoing human rights violations. The Iranian Resistance will continue to seek justice in Belgium and on the international stage.
Behind the scenes of the prisoner swap deal between Belgium and Iran, there were many details that were not made public. Assadi’s release was part of a larger deal that included the release of several other prisoners and the lifting of some sanctions against Iran.
Leaked documents from the Iranian regime’s Foreign Ministry indicate its involvement in the negotiations and that the release of Assadi was a top priority for Tehran. The Iranian regime had reportedly threatened Belgium with consequences if Assadi was not released.
The deal has raised concerns about the willingness of Western countries to negotiate with regimes that support terrorism. Iran has long been accused of sponsoring terrorist organizations and carrying out terrorist attacks across the globe.
Many human rights activists and organizations are concerned about the impact of this prisoner swap deal on the human rights situation in Iran. The Iranian regime has a long history of suppressing dissent and violating human rights, including the right to a fair trial and the right to freedom of expression.
Furthermore, this could lead to an increase in hostage-taking and further undermine international efforts to combat terrorism.
As Struan Stevenson, a former Member of the European Parliament, has argued, “Iran’s agents of terror and their enablers should be held to account before the International Criminal Court.”
The release of Assadi and the Iranian regime’s continued human rights violations should not be ignored or overlooked in the pursuit of improved relations or economic benefits. Western countries must make it clear that they will not tolerate support for terrorism or human rights abuses and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
The Iranian Resistance will continue to seek justice in Belgium and on the international stage, and it is the responsibility of Western countries to support these efforts and hold the Iranian regime accountable for its actions.
