MADRID: The Spanish politician shot in Madrid earlier this month accused Iran on Wednesday of being behind his attempted murder in a message delivered to a conference organized by Iranian opposition supporters.
Alejo Vidal-Quadras, a founder of Spain’s far-right Vox party and former head of its center-right People’s Party in Catalonia, was shot in the face in broad daylight on a pavement in the wealthy Salamanca neighborhood of central Madrid on Nov. 9 by a motorbike pillion passenger.
The 78-year-old politician, who was European Parliament vice president between 2009 and 2014, was described shortly after the shooting as a “staunch supporter” of Iran’s opposition movement and the campaign for human rights in Iran over 25 years.
He remains in hospital recovering from a double jaw fracture.
Vidal-Quadras did not offer any proof to back up his claim and police have not confirmed any such theory.
Iran’s embassy in Madrid said in a statement it “firmly condemns any kind of terrorist operation,” though it did not immediately comment on Vidal-Quadras’ claims.
In a statement read to European parliamentarians attending a conference organized by the Iranian opposition, Vidal-Quadras accused Iran of involvement in the attack on him.
“Let me remind you (of the methods) the Iranian regime uses to impose its malignant will upon us,” he wrote.
These included “to plot and execute terrorist attacks as the one I have recently suffered,” he said.
Three people — a British women and two Spanish men — were detained on Tuesday in Andalusia as part of an investigation into the shooting. The three were being transferred to Madrid on Wednesday to appear before an investigating High Court judge.
Vidal-Quadras called for a change in the EU policy toward the Islamic Republic to avoid trying to “appease, to negotiate, to dialogue and to make concessions.”
“The Iranian regime does not want to find some balance of power between us, it wants to sweep us away from the earth’s surface,” he said.
In October 2022, Vidal-Quadras was included in an Iranian sanctions list in retaliation for European Union sanctions imposed on the country following the death in custody of 22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini which triggered months of nationwide protests.
Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of National Council of Resistance of Iran, also addressed the conference.
Spanish politician shot in Madrid points finger at Iran
https://arab.news/5u4dx
Spanish politician shot in Madrid points finger at Iran
- Alejo Vidal-Quadras, a founder of Spain’s far-right Vox party and former head of its center-right People’s Party in Catalonia, was shot in the face in broad daylight
- He remains in hospital recovering from a double jaw fracture
Fourth Palestine Action activist ends hunger strike in UK prison
- Amy Gardiner-Gibson began eating again after 49 days of protest
- Govt rejects claims it ignored prison safety protocols
LONDON: A fourth Palestine Action activist imprisoned in the UK has ended her hunger strike.
Amy Gardiner-Gibson, who also uses the name Amu Gib, began eating again after 49 days of fasting, the campaign group Prisoners for Palestine said.
Qesser Zuhrah, another activist, ended her hunger strike last week after 48 days but said she might resume it next year, Sky News reported.
Four Palestine Action activists have now ended their hunger strikes while in prison, while four others are continuing to fast.
All of them are in prison on remand, awaiting trial for a series of high-profile alleged break-ins and criminal damage.
Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organization and banned earlier this year.
On Tuesday, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested in central London at a rally in support of the hunger strikers.
The protesters are demanding that weapons factories in Britain with ties to Israel be shut down, as well as the removal of Palestine Action’s proscription.
They are also calling for immediate bail to be given to imprisoned pro-Palestine activists and an end to the alleged mistreatment of prisoners in custody.
Seven imprisoned members of Palestine Action have been transferred to hospital over the course of the hunger strike campaign. Doctors have highlighted concerns about the long-term impact of fasting on the activists.
Lawyers representing the group on Monday initiated legal action against the government over its alleged failure to follow prison safety regulations.
The government, however, has rejected this accusation, Sky News reported.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Ministers do not intervene in individual cases. Where individuals are on remand, doing so would risk prejudicing ongoing legal proceedings and undermine the independence of the justice system.
“Concerns about welfare and process can be raised through established legal and administrative channels, including prison governors and ultimately the prison and probation ombudsman.
“Healthcare decisions are taken independently by qualified NHS professionals and appropriate care and oversight frameworks remain in place.”
The activists still on hunger strike include Heba Muraisi and Teuta Hoxha. Hoxha has been on remand for 13 months and her family told Sky News they feared she would die in prison.
Another of the activists, Kamran Ahmad, is believed to have been on hunger strike for 45 days and hospitalized three times.
Lewie Chiaramello, who has Type 1 diabetes, is on day 31 of his strike and taking part by fasting every other day.
