Iraj Mesdaghi: Asadollah Asadi's conviction is the beginning of the trial of Islamic Republic officials

Iraj Mesdaghi, a former political prisoner and human rights activist, believes that the sentencing of Assadollah Asadi, a diplomat of the Islamic Republic, will be the beginning of the trial of other officials of the Islamic Republic.

Mr. Mosadaghi, who has been following and reporting on Asadi's arrest since his arrest, told VOA that although this is the first time that an Islamic Republic official has been tried despite diplomatic immunity, "it is a very clear message to the officials of the Islamic regime that they cannot freely carry out terror and destructive acts in Europe and remain immune from the consequences."

Referring to the arrest of Hamid Nouri on charges of participating in the killing of political prisoners in 1988 and his imminent trial in Sweden, Mr. Mosadaghi considers the conviction of Asadollah Asadi "a precursor to other courts:" "Certainly other regime officials will also be brought to trial."

A Belgian court has sentenced Iranian diplomat Asadollah Assadi to 20 years in prison for plotting to carry out a bombing. This is the first time an Iranian diplomat has been convicted on terrorism-related charges in Europe. 

Maryam Rajavi, head of the National Council of Resistance, the political wing of the People's Mojahedin Organization, responded to the conviction of Assadollah Asadi, a diplomat of the Islamic Republic, saying that "the entire mullahs' government has been involved in terrorism and this terrorist plan" and "this is a heavy political and diplomatic defeat for the mullahs' regime."

Source: Voice of America