To: Ms. Annalena Baerbock, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany
The National Council of Tasmim, as an entity committed to defending human rights and democracy, expresses its deep concern over the increasing espionage activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran on German soil. These activities directly threaten the security of the Iranian community residing in Germany as well as Germany’s national security and demand urgent attention and action from the esteemed German government.
As you are aware, incidents such as the case of Assadollah Assadi, the Iranian diplomat convicted in Belgium for planning a terrorist attack, and numerous reports about the extensive espionage network linked to the Iranian regime, highlight the gravity of this threat. Furthermore, there have been reports suggesting potential links between the Al-Mustafa International University in Berlin and these networks, intensifying concerns on this matter.
The National Council of Tasmim emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability and urges you to publish a comprehensive report to inform the international community, especially Iranian citizens residing in Germany, about the measures taken to counter these threats. Disclosing the names of individuals proven to be involved in espionage activities for the Islamic Republic would be an effective step toward strengthening Germany’s national security and restoring the trust and peace of the Iranian community in Germany.
Given Germany’s international commitments to human rights and the support of democracy, we expect the German government to address this issue with greater seriousness and take necessary steps to prevent the recurrence of such actions.
The National Council of Tasmim, while expressing its readiness for any necessary cooperation in this regard, is confident that a transparent and decisive approach by the German government will not only be a significant step toward safeguarding the country’s internal security but also send a clear message to all entities violating human rights and those posing a threat to international security.
With respect,
The National Council of Tasmim
November 29, 2024
Explanatory Footnote:
Assadollah Assadi, an Iranian diplomat and third secretary at the Iranian embassy in Vienna, was arrested in Germany in 2018 and extradited to Belgium. He was convicted in a Belgian court for planning a terrorist attack against a gathering of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran in France and sentenced to 20 years in prison. During the investigation, a notebook containing over 300 names linked to Iran’s espionage network was discovered, underscoring the significance of the case. Additionally, German intelligence is investigating the links of seven hundred individuals associated with the Al-Mustafa International University in Berlin to espionage activities for the Iranian regime, as reported by outlets like Bild.