In a conference held in Brussels on September 16, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) revealed a new book that brings to light the details of a foiled bombing plot by the Iranian regime that has become the center of a global dispute. The conference, which featured speeches from politicians who could have been victims of the terrorist attack, discussed the terrorist threat posed by the Iranian regime and the right policy that Europe should adopt toward Tehran.
The terrorist attack, which was aimed at the NCRI’s Free Iran 2018 rally in France, was hatched at the highest levels of power in Tehran and was to be carried out by Assadollah Assadi, a Vienna-based Iranian diplomat.
Assadi and his three accomplices were arrested by European authorities in Germany, Belgium, and France before they could carry out the sinister deed. They were transferred to Belgium, where they were tried in an Antwerp court. Assadi was stripped of his diplomatic immunity and sentenced to 20 years in prison, the maximum punishment.
LIVE
Press Conference#Iran’s Diplomatic Terrorism; European Obligations#DontFreeTerrorists#No2Appeasement#Time4FirmIranPolicy https://t.co/7IwDCjVeFZ
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 16, 2022
However, in the past months, the Belgian government has been pushing for the ratification of a prisoner-swap treaty that would allow Assadi to be exchanged for Belgian nationals held hostage by the Iranian regime. The deal, which has currently been suspended by a Belgian court, has caused outrage among politicians in Europe and across the globe for the dangerous precedent, it can set.
“The evilest terrorist plot in Europe”
During Friday’s conference, Hossein Abedini, the deputy director of the NCRI office in London, described the terror plot as “the evilest terrorist plot in Europe” which could have left “hundreds or thousands dead.”
Former Colombian senator and presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who was present at the Free Iran 2018 rally, said, “There were thousands of people who had gathered to support the freedom movement in Iran. They could have died in that plot. It is important that we speak about this.”
.@IBetancourtCol
With [Belgium's] treaty, we’re giving a passport to Iranian criminals around the world. Any Iranian criminal under the protection of #Iran's regime, will know they will be able to go wherever they want in Europe. #DontFreeTerroristshttps://t.co/LKlAhFVMQZ— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 16, 2022
Speaking about Assadi, Betancourt said, “This is not a prisoner among many. He is a criminal, more than a criminal, a mass murderer. When you see who he is, you can follow how he has been trained to kill. His job is to kill. He’s a leader of killers. He hires killers. He is one of the most important terrorist agents of the Iranian regime in the world.”
Warning about the treaty between Belgium and Iran’s regime, Betancourt said, “With this treaty, we’re going to give a passport to Iranian criminals around the world. Any Iranian criminal under the protection of the Iranian regime will know that in Europe they will be able to go wherever they want.”
Iran’s regime is currently holding a Belgian national hostage, whom Iranian authorities will exchange with Assadi. “I know what it is to be a hostage,” said Betancourt, who herself was a hostage of FARC for six years. “I know how families suffer, as mine did for six years… If we surrender to blackmail, we’re opening Pandora’s box. Here in Brussels, London, Paris, and Madrid, we have been targets of explosions, mass killings, and terrorist attacks. Their common trait is Iran. If we agree to negotiate and exchange innocent people for criminals, the criminals will know that they have a way out.”
.@markdemesmaeker
The show is not over. A great number of MPs oppose this deal. Many questions must be answered regarding Belgium’s responsibilities under UN Security Council resolutions. #Iran#DontFreeTerroristshttps://t.co/VtqhPs9v9Z— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 16, 2022
Belgian Senator Mark Demesmaeker, who also spoke at the conference, said, “Belgium was criticized when Abdul Salam and his gang fled to Iran after committing terrorist crimes. Now we have a similar case where terrorists have been arrested. Which is good. But we’re sending them back to Iran? That is a bad signal to the international community. A terrorist who was condemned to a maximum penalty of 20 years? This is really tragic for our country. We will receive no guarantee for our security in the future. Our judiciary worked very hard for four years to close this case. Their efforts will be ruined, and our democracy will be damaged.”
Demesmaeker stressed that Belgian lawmakers will continue their efforts to oppose the deal and remind the Belgian government of its responsibilities.
“We are circulating letters in parliaments saying that this treaty should not be applied to convicted terrorists. They pose threats to our society and the world, and they should stay in jail,” Demesmaeker said. “The way we uphold these principles, if we don’t succeed, it will have detrimental consequences for the world and our children. We don’t want the Iranian regime to abuse our democratic system through blackmail and hostage-taking.”
.@bobtorricelli
The courage to repeal a mistake is rare. It is not too late before Assadi boards a plane to #Iran. The moment he reaches Tehran, Brussels will become a base for terrorism. #DontFreeTerroristshttps://t.co/ScTjT2ak65— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 16, 2022
Former US Senator Robert Torricelli said, “There’s a fundamental flaw in how we govern ourselves. We learn by suffering. Can we not learn by experience and knowledge? This law will ultimately be repealed, but only because a terrorist attack will happen that traces back to Belgium and we learn our lesson.”
Torricelli warned about the implications of returning the Iranian regime’s diplomat-terrorist back to Iran. “What happened in the parliament of Belgium will have implications for every European country. Tehran will base its activities in Belgium. If a criminal is caught, they will be returned.”
John Bercow, former UK House of Commons Speaker
No other opposition force has been resolute and concerted and effective as the NCRI. Their book is a very serious, academic work. It is outstanding and deserves to be respected.#Iran#DontFreeTerroristshttps://t.co/17e7tow2Qh— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 16, 2022
Former Speaker of the British House of Commons John Bercow underlined the role of senior Iranian officials in orchestrating the attack. “We’re talking about an act premeditated, planned, rehearsed, and with government endorsement over a period of at least many months. It was coldly, calculatedly, and illegally planned to commit mass murder,” he said.
Bercow described the treaty between Brussels and Tehran as “absolutely deplorable.”
“If you seek to appease the monster, the monster will devour you and others. This is something which we will not put up with. This legislation must be set aside and repudiated. We have to act multilaterally. But if you give the monster what he wants once, he will come back for more,” he said. “This is something that deserves massive media attention. It is plainly wrong. It can’t be justified in any way.”
.@Mohaddessin
By using Assadi, other agents will be emboldened for more terrorist attacks in Europe. European countries must disclose all info about #Iran's agents in EU countries. The regime’s embassies in Europe must be shut down.#DontFreeTerroristshttps://t.co/hDUSEuWiJO— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 16, 2022
NCRI Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mohammad Mohaddessin gave details about the role of regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei, then-president Hassan Rouhani, then-foreign minister Javad Zarif, and the intelligence minister in orchestrating the attack. He also warned about the regime’s continued policy of taking hostages to put pressure on European states.
“Today, the regime is resorting to hostage-taking to release Assadi,” Mohaddessin said. “If he is returned to Iran based on this treaty, not only will he be released and rewarded, but it will provide the regime with a carte blanche for terrorism in Europe.”
Mohaddessin warned that Assadi’s release will embolden the regime for more terrorist attacks in Europe.
“European countries must disclose all information about the Iranian regime’s agents in EU countries. The regime’s embassies in Europe must be shut down. This is necessary for peace and security in Europe and around the world,” he said.
 revealed a new book that brings to light){kind=link}