Netherlands: Iranian government responsible for masterminding two political assassinations in the Netherlands
According to Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok, the Iranian government is responsible for planning two political assassinations on Dutch soil. Blok said that is why the European Union has imposed sanctions on two individuals and an Iranian intelligence agency.
According to a report by the German news agency on Tuesday, January 8, Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok 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 remarks were based on reports provided to him by the country's intelligence and security service.
Steph Block said that this is why the European Union announced on Tuesday that it would sanction an Iranian security entity and two Iranians.
The European Union announced Tuesday morning that its member states have agreed to impose sanctions on an Iranian intelligence agency that they said was "operating for terrorist acts on the territory of the Union."
Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsson wrote in a Twitter message that this was “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 murdered by unknown individuals in the cities of Amsterdam and The Hague.
The Dutch intelligence service AIVD has announced that there is “strong evidence” that the Iranian government was involved in planning these political assassinations.
The Dutch government strongly condemned the move, calling 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 "Ahmed Maulana Abu Nahez," known as "Ahmed Nisi," had been shot dead in The Hague.
According to this report, this individual is the founder and leader of the "Ahwaz Liberation Movement", which was established in 1997 and has declared its goal to "liberate Khuzestan, Bushehr, Hormozgan, and the Persian Gulf islands."
Three years ago, on December 15, 2015, an Iranian named Ali Motamed was shot dead by an unknown person in the Dutch city of Almere.
In June 2018 (about six months ago), the Netherlands expelled two Iranian diplomats from the country. At the time, the reason for the expulsion of the two Iranians was not stated.
On this date, Dutch media reported on the trial of two Iranians suspected of murder. Reports on the matter stated that the person killed in the Netherlands was Ali Motamed, a member of the People's Mojahedin Organization and possibly the same as Mohammad Reza Kolahi Samadi.
Mohammad Reza Kolahi Samadi is said to have been responsible for the explosion at the Islamic Republic Party building. The explosion, which occurred on July 28, 1988, killed 72 high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic.
The Danish security service also reported in September 2018 (about three months ago) that a Norwegian of Iranian descent, on a mission from an Iranian intelligence agency, was planning to take action against the leader of the “Ahwaz Liberation Movement.” This individual was arrested by Danish police in September.
The Iranian arrested in Denmark denied the charge of “acts of terrorism.” The Iranian Foreign Ministry also denied any involvement in the incident, calling it “an attempt by enemies to destroy Iran’s relations with Europe at this sensitive time.”
Mohammad Javad Zarif's reaction
Iran’s foreign minister tweeted Tuesday that Europeans have sheltered terrorists, in response to the European Union’s decision to sanction an Iranian intelligence agency. “Europeans, including Denmark, the Netherlands, and France, have sheltered the MEK,” he tweeted. “Accusing Iran does not absolve Europe of its responsibility for sheltering terrorists,” Zarif wrote.
Source: DW
