Arrest of the Mother of Two Protesters Residing in Belgium by Security Forces in Iran

Two Iranian brothers who participated in a protest against the visit of a delegation from the Islamic Republic to the Brussels Urban Summit reported the arrest of their mother in Iran. At the same time, reports indicate an increase in calls for the resignation of Hajeh Lahbib, the Belgian Foreign Minister. According to the Brussels Times, citing a Belgian news website, the two brothers stated that the Iranian delegation filmed the protesters in Brussels, and afterward, their mother was arrested and interrogated in Iran. One of the brothers described Hajeh Lahbib as a 'naive foreign minister' and held her responsible for issuing visas for the Iranian delegation. He said, 'The visit of 14 Iranian officials has endangered our security in Belgium and also our families in Iran.' The Brussels Times reported that one member of the Iranian delegation, Alireza Zakani, the 'ultra-conservative' mayor of Tehran, is known as the 'Butcher of Tehran' for his role in the 'violent repression and torture of civilians.' This delegation was invited to the Brussels Urban Summit by Pascal Smet, the international relations and urban planning official of the Brussels region; he was forced to resign due to widespread protests against his decision. After Hajeh Lahbib's role in issuing visas for these 14 Iranian officials became clear, this controversy has also engulfed the Belgian Foreign Minister, with many calling for her resignation. Following revelations that some members of the Iranian delegation filmed anti-regime protesters and gathered information about them, calls for the resignation of the Belgian Foreign Minister have increased. During the protests against the visit of the Iranian delegation, activists were concerned that images taken by some members of this delegation could lead to the identification of protesters and endanger their relatives' safety in Iran. The Brussels Times wrote that their concerns seem to be validated as two Iranian protesters residing in Belgium claim that their mother has been arrested in Iran. While this Belgian news outlet could not confirm the story due to security concerns for the mother of these protesters, one of her sons provided a heartbreaking testimony of the 'psychological torture' inflicted on their mother. He claimed that their 67-year-old mother was arrested by security forces on Monday evening and interrogated for nearly four hours. The interrogators showed her pictures of her sons protesting in Belgium; photos likely taken by members of the Iranian delegation. She was asked why her sons were participating in the protest and was told to tell them to stop protesting or she would be sentenced to 20 years in prison. The two brothers have cut off contact with relatives in Iran to protect their family's safety. While one of the brothers identifies Hajeh Lahbib as responsible for their mother's arrest, this revelation may impact her political future. Additionally, Ms. Lahbib's leftist partners in the government, who reluctantly agreed to support her in this case, are again calling for her resignation. Ahmad Laouij, the parliamentary leader of the Socialist Party of Belgium (PS), told a news outlet that 'she must resign' because 'people in Iran are in danger because of her visas.' Apparently, the French-speaking Greens also support Hajeh Lahbib's resignation, with Gilles Vanden Burre (Ecolo) from this party stating that 'the situation is no longer bearable, and the foreign minister must take responsibility for her actions.'