{"id":45974,"date":"2023-05-27T07:11:20","date_gmt":"2023-05-27T05:11:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/?p=45974"},"modified":"2023-05-27T07:11:37","modified_gmt":"2023-05-27T05:11:37","slug":"iranian-diplomat-terrorist-assadollah-assadi-released-in-controversial-prisoner-swap-by-belgian-government","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/articles\/2023\/05\/iranian-diplomat-terrorist-assadollah-assadi-released-in-controversial-prisoner-swap-by-belgian-government\/45974\/","title":{"rendered":"Iranian Diplomat-Terrorist Assadollah Assadi Released in Controversial Prisoner Swap by Belgian Government"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Iranian<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

May 26, 2023:<\/strong> Belgium\u2019s recent release of Iranian diplomat-terrorist Assadollah Assadi<\/a> in a prisoner exchange has attracted strong criticism from experts, who perceive it as a manifestation of weakness on the part of both the European Union and the Belgian government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Brussels, Belgium, the Belgian government\u2019s decision to set free Iranian diplomat-terrorist Assadollah Assadi through a prisoner swap has drawn sharp disapproval from domestic and international observers. Assadi had been convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison<\/a> for his involvement in a thwarted bomb plot aimed at an Iranian opposition rally in France, making his case highly contentious and high-profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Numerous experts express concerns that this action showcases the European Union and the Belgian government\u2019s vulnerability, contending that they have effectively succumbed to the Iranian regime\u2019s tactics of blackmail and negotiation. Critics argue that this move could potentially encourage further acts of terrorism while undermining the international community\u2019s ability to deter and punish such actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The release of Assadi has been strongly condemned by the Iranian Resistance in a statement<\/a> that criticizes the Belgian government for disregarding the Constitutional Court\u2019s judgment, which stated that the victims should be informed before transferring the convicts to allow them an opportunity to seek justice once again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement describes the release of the terrorist diplomat, who orchestrated and commanded one of the most significant criminal acts in Europe since World War II in violation of the court\u2019s order, as a disgraceful act of giving in to terrorism and hostage-taking. It argues that this will embolden the ruling religious fascism in Iran to continue committing crimes through repression and regional and international terrorism, citing the alarming number of executions in Iran during the specified period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assadi, who held the position of third secretary at the Iranian embassy in Vienna, was arrested in Germany in July 2018 and later extradited to Belgium. He was tried and convicted for his role in the bomb plot, with the court finding evidence that he had provided explosives and a detonator to a Belgian-Iranian couple, instructing them to target the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI<\/a>) rally near Paris on June 30, 2018. European authorities successfully foiled the plot, preventing a potentially catastrophic terrorist attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Iranian Resistance strongly condemns the release of the terrorist diplomat, Assadollah Assadi, and his return to Iran under the religious dictatorship ruling Iran.#BlacklistIRGC<\/a>#IranRevolution<\/a>#No2Appeasement<\/a>#HostageDiplomacy<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/jjmwU8LJba<\/a><\/p>\u2014 NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 26, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>