Netherlands: Iranian government responsible for planning two political assassinations in the country

According to Stef Blok, the Netherlands’ Foreign Minister, the Iranian government bears responsibility for planning two political assassinations on Dutch soil. Blok stated that for this reason, the European Union has imposed sanctions against two individuals and an Iranian intelligence agency.

According to German news agency reports on Tuesday, December 18 (January 8), Stef Blok, the Netherlands’ Foreign Minister, announced in The Hague that the Islamic Republic of Iran played a role in planning two political assassinations in the country.

The Dutch Foreign Minister’s statements are based on reports provided to him by the country’s intelligence and security service.

Stef Blok said that for this reason, the European Union announced on Tuesday that it is imposing sanctions on one Iranian security agency and two Iranians.

The European Union announced on Tuesday morning that member states of the union have agreed to impose sanctions against an Iranian intelligence agency that, according to them, has been involved in “terrorist activities within the territory of the union.”

Anders Samuelsen, Denmark’s Foreign Minister, wrote in a tweet that this day is “an important day for Europe” and “a strong message from the European Union” to show Iran that “we will not tolerate such behavior.”

In 2015 and 2017, two Iranian opponents of the Islamic Republic who held Dutch passports were killed by unknown individuals in the cities of Amsterdam and The Hague.

The Dutch intelligence service AIVD announced that “strong evidence” exists showing that the Iranian government played a role in planning these political assassinations.

The Dutch government strongly condemned this action and called it “unacceptable” and “a violation of Dutch sovereignty.”

Assassination of Iranian government opponents in the Netherlands and Denmark

Dutch media reported on November 8, 2017 that an Iranian named “Ahmad Moulana Abounahz,” known as “Ahmad Nissi,” was shot dead in The Hague.

Based on this report, this person is the founder and leader of the “Ahwaz Liberation Movement,” which was founded in 1997 and announced its goal as “liberating Khuzestan, Bushehr, and Hormozgan and the Persian Gulf islands.”

Three years earlier, on December 15, 2015, an Iranian named Ali Motamedi was shot dead by an unknown person in the city of Almere, Netherlands.

In June 2018 (approximately six months ago), the Netherlands expelled two Iranian diplomats from the country. At that time, the reason for their expulsion was not stated.

Dutch media reported at that time on the trial of two Iranians suspected of murder. In reports on this matter, it was written that the person killed in the Netherlands, Ali Motamedi, was a member of the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization and possibly Mohammad Reza Kolahi Samadi.

It is said that Mohammad Reza Kolahi Samadi was responsible for an explosion in the Islamic Republic Party building. In this explosion, which occurred on June 28, 1981, 72 high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic were killed.

Denmark’s security apparatus also reported in September 2018 (approximately three months ago) that an Iranian-Norwegian was tasked by an Iranian intelligence agency with carrying out operations against the leader of the “Ahwaz Liberation Movement.” This person was arrested by Danish police in September.

The Iranian arrested in Denmark denied the charge of “terrorist activity.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry also denied any involvement in the matter and called it “an attempt by enemies to damage Iran-Europe relations during this sensitive time.”

Mohammad Javad Zarif’s Response

Iran’s Foreign Minister responded on Tuesday to the European Union’s decision to sanction an Iranian intelligence agency in a tweet stating that Europeans have given shelter to terrorists. In his tweet, he wrote that “Europeans, including Denmark, the Netherlands, and France, have given shelter to the Mujahedin-e Khalq.” Zarif wrote that “accusing Iran does not absolve Europe of responsibility for harboring terrorists.”

Source: DW