Germany Burns Iran’s Espionage Pawn

German and European police are searching for an Iranian-born individual. This 32-year-old man, born in Darmstadt, Germany, is accused of raping a 16-year-old girl twice. However, it is reported that he was likely spying for Iran.

What is happening between Iran and Germany? Iran arrests 66-year-old Nahid Taghavi, while Germany publishes the photo of 32-year-old Soheil Omid Khalousiyan three years after rape allegations among wanted individuals.

Are these two issues related? Reports suggest that Nahid Taghavi is a human rights activist. While according to German media sources, Soheil Omid Khalousiyan is not only a criminal, but also a spy. What is the connection between the two?

“Gender: Male, Height: 177 cm, Eye Color: Brown, Tattoo on arm, Nationality: German” These characteristics are listed alongside a photo of an Iranian on the “Europol” page among wanted individuals in Europe.

The name of this man is Soheil Omid Khalousiyan. His charge: rape.

On this page it is written that after committing rape, he went to Iran and is reportedly active as a tour guide, especially for European tourists.

German police say Soheil Omid Khalousiyan is formally wanted for two counts of rape in 2017 in the cities of Cologne and Krefeld. The victim is a 16-year-old girl and student who met this man at the central train station in Cologne. The German newspaper “Bild”, citing a police report, describes the accused as “well-dressed with an athletic build” and writes that Soheil Omid Khalousiyan, after meeting the student girl and having several phone conversations and chats, rapes her in Cologne and then, by exerting psychological pressure on the girl, including telling her he intends to commit suicide, takes her to his apartment in Krefeld and rapes her again.

Did they publish his photo on Europol because of rape?

However, the German-language newspaper “Express” in its edition from the previous day (October 28) writes, referring to the rape charge: “It is unclear why he was not arrested.” The newspaper continues: “Apparently Khalousiyan was released because, as a spy identified long ago, he was more valuable in freedom [for German security officials] than in prison.”

“Express”, noting that “staying in Germany had become dangerous for this 32-year-old man”, adds: “For this reason he went to Iran and, according to information from German security agencies, works as a guide for foreign tourists there.” Is the matter simply the rape issue as stated on Europol?

“Express”, referring to the fact that “the Europol list contains the names of individuals facing charges such as assassination, drug trafficking, or human trafficking”, writes: “Unlike them, Khalousiyan, despite two rape charges, is a criminal whose name on this list is surprising.” The newspaper asks: “Is there something else to this story?”

“Express” claims to have learned through one of German security officials (Constitutional Protection Agency) that Soheil Omid Khalousiyan plays an important role in the espionage war that has been ongoing between Iran and Germany for years.

The newspaper further references the arrest of Nahid Taghavi on October 16.

The Connection Between Nahid Taghavi’s Arrest and Khalousiyan

“Express”, referring to the charge against Ms. Taghavi of “endangering security”, adds: “The 66-year-old Taghavi is the mother of a German daughter and holds German citizenship.”

On Friday, November 2, the International Society for Human Rights in Germany published news of the arrest of Nahid Taghavi, an Iranian-German dual citizen, in Tehran. According to Nahid Taghavi’s daughter, her mother was arrested on October 16 and taken to Evin Prison.

The 66-year-old Taghavi, who came to Germany in 1983 and has held German citizenship alongside Iranian citizenship for 17 years, has traveled to Iran multiple times over the past 15 years. According to data from the International Society for Human Rights, Nahid Taghavi was a women’s rights and women’s freedom activist.

The newspaper “Express” further references the history of arrests of dual-citizenship individuals by Iran’s Islamic Republic, noting that the government uses them as “leverage to free individuals close to the government in other countries.”

Citing a security official who spoke with the newspaper, it writes: “Soheil Omid Khalousiyan, as a spy, is now a burned piece and Iran can never use this piece again. Germany cannot capitulate to Iran and [with this step] made it clear to Iran that if Iran does not back down quickly, Germany is ready to burn Iran’s espionage pieces one after another.”

The German-language newspaper references the “duties” of a spy of Khalousiyan’s rank: “This category of spies are tasked with intimidating Iranians who are active in Germany against the regime.” According to the newspaper, threats such as “think about your family in Iran” are considered effective threats for silencing regime critics.

One must wait and see what Iran’s reaction will be and when Nahid Taghavi will be released.

Source: DW