Iran's Strong Protest to Three European Countries Regarding the Arrest of Iranian Diplomat

Iran's Foreign Ministry announced the summoning of the ambassadors of Germany, Belgium, and France in protest against the meeting of the Mojahedin and the arrest of an Iranian diplomat. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Germany and France will extradite the Iranian diplomat and another Iranian arrested on charges of attempting to bomb the Mojahedin meeting to Belgium. Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of Iran, announced on Wednesday, July 3, that the ambassadors of France, Belgium, and the chargé d'affaires of Germany (in the absence of the ambassador) were summoned to the Foreign Ministry in protest against the arrest of the Iranian diplomat and the Mojahedin meeting. According to him, Abbas Araghchi, the Deputy Foreign Minister, conveyed Iran's strong protest to the chargé d'affaires of Germany and the ambassador of France. Mr. Araghchi described this case as a 'scenario' to undermine relations between Iran and Europe and stated that this case is reminiscent of the self-immolation of Mojahedin members during the arrest of Maryam Rajavi, the leader of the organization, in Paris. The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry added that the Director General for Europe of this ministry also communicated Tehran's protest regarding the request for the transfer of the Iranian diplomat from Germany to the Belgian ambassador. Assadollah Assadi, the diplomat, was arrested on Sunday near the town of Aschaffenburg in Bavaria, Germany. His arrest followed the detention of an Iranian couple whose vehicle was found to contain half a kilogram of explosives, and investigations of this couple are ongoing in Belgium. Belgium has requested the extradition of this diplomat from Germany. Another Iranian has also been arrested in France on charges related to this action. Meanwhile, Reuters reported, citing unnamed French and German judicial sources, that the Iranian arrested in France and the Iranian diplomat detained in Germany will be extradited to Belgium. An European intelligence official also told Reuters, 'This matter is extremely sensitive, and the Belgians are advancing the case.' Reuters adds that French officials have refrained from commenting on this case as they state the nature of this event is unclear. French officials have also not yet responded to Reuters' request regarding the summoning of their ambassador. On Wednesday, the Chancellor of Austria also urged the President of Iran to cooperate with the Austrian government for 'complete transparency' regarding the allegations of the Iranian diplomat's involvement in the case of attempting to bomb the Mojahedin meeting. Austria has revoked the diplomatic immunity of Assadollah Assadi.