Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi and three Iranian-Belgians went on trial [11] in Antwerp, Belgium, on Nov. 27, marking the first time an EU country has put an Iranian official on trial for terrorism. The four have been charged with planning an attack on a rally of the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in 2018. The NCRI is the political wing of the exiled Iranian opposition group, Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK), which is seeking to overthrow the Islamic Republic. Assadi served at Tehran's embassy in Vienna and is believed [12] to have been working for Iran's Intelligence Ministry.
Assadi was on a vacation in Germany when he was arrested and handed over to Belgium. Two of his alleged accomplices, in possession of half a kilo of the explosive TATP and a detonator, were arrested in Belgium while en route to Paris on the day of the planned NCRI rally. Belgian authorities believe the explosives were transported on a commercial flight from Tehran to Vienna by Assadi.
Assadi claimed diplomatic immunity and refused to appear for the opening session of his trial. After a second session this week, the court is expected to adjourn to consider its verdict before ruling early next year.
From Jurist [13], Nov. 29. Used with permission.
