Iran may be linked to a new assassination attempt on the former head of Spain’s People’s Party in Catalonia who is a strong supporter of Iranian dissidents.
(Video Credit: Associated Press)
This latest event is just one of many violent extremist actions linked back to Iran in the last few months.
Police think that Iran may be connected to the attempted assassination following the Iranian foreign ministry imposing sanctions on Alejo Vidal-Quadras due to his relationship with Iran’s opposition-in-exile, the People’s Mujahedin of Iran.
Vidal-Quadras, 78, was shot in the face but miraculously survived the attempt on his life. The attempted murder took place in the wealthy Salamanca region of Madrid last Thursday at approximately 1:30 p.m. He was rushed to a hospital where he is recovering. His condition was listed as “stable and conscious.”
The shot to Vidal-Quadras’ face, fractured his jawbone but did not mortally wound him.
A confidential police source reportedly told the Associated Press that they had inside information on the investigation into the attempted assassination. Vidal-Quadras himself posited that the gunmen who attacked him could have ties to Iran.
Dr. Alejo Vidal-Quadras, President of the International Committee in Search of Justice (ISJ) & Former Vice-President of the European Parliament (1999-2014), is a remarkable individual and a formidable opponent of the mullahs. @VidalQuadras #آلخو_ویدال_کوادراس pic.twitter.com/vO7yH6Er7z
— Neda Marieh Aria (@Ashrafii87) November 12, 2023
Although police have no hard evidence of Iran’s involvement in the attack, police are investigating the theory as one of several potential motives. It is being investigated as a “terrorist” incident, according to Politico.
“On Monday, Spanish media reported that National Court judge Francisco de Jorge was investigating the incident as an ‘attempted murder of a terrorist nature,’” the news outlet wrote.
“The Spanish politician, who has been a staunch supporter of Iranian dissidents, reportedly told authorities that he ‘has no other enemies,’” Politico reported.
According to Fox News, “Two men seen on a Yamaha motorcycle are believed to be connected to the assassination attempt.”
“The man who shot Vidal-Quadras dismounted the black motorbike and pulled the gun while his face was obscured by a helmet. Both men escaped on the vehicle following the attack,” the news outlet stated.
This afternoon, Prof. Alejo Vidal Quadras, President of the International Committee in Search of Justice and Vice President of the European Parliament (1999-2014), was targeted by a terrorist attack in Madrid and was taken to the hospital.
I strongly condemn this terrorist crime,… pic.twitter.com/F3oS2e59Si— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) November 9, 2023
The area where the shooting took place has been cordoned off by authorities. No suspects have been arrested in the assassination attempt. Following the incident, the remains of a burnt motorcycle were found outside the city.
“Vidal-Quadras is a former member of the right-wing Popular Party. He later broke off from the Popular Party after three decades with the group due to a falling out with then-Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, founding the Vox Party. He left Vox in 2014,” Fox News noted.
Currently, the police and investigators are reviewing surveillance footage for clues concerning who the gunmen are and where they went. They are asking witnesses to come forward and are interviewing them as well.
Statement on the Terror Attack on Dr. Alejo Vidal Quadras by @FYDRIran, November 2023#ShutdownIranTerrorEmbassies #AlejoVidalQuadras @VidalQuadras pic.twitter.com/SoQC7gUmkm
— Forum of Youth for a Democratic Republic in Iran (@FYDRIran) November 11, 2023
Spanish politicians, including the People’s Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo and Vox leader Santiago Abascal, were shocked by the attack and along with Spain’s Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, called for a “thorough investigation and swift arrests,” according to Reuters.
Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said via a statement that Vidal-Quadras was the victim of a “cowardly attack” and condemned “an act of unacceptable violence, perpetrated against a political representative of an important European nation.”
Shahin Gobadi, who is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, issued a statement on Thursday asserting that Vidal-Quadras had been a steadfast supporter of the Iranian opposition movement for over 25 years.