Mass protest in Brussels against Iranian regime
On Saturday, Iranians from across Europe gathered at the Atomium and Heysel Plateau in Brussels to demand a European boycott of the Iranian regime and to call for a democratic future for Iran. The organisers claimed that “tens of thousands” took part, whereas the police estimated the number of attendees to be around 10,000.
Despite strict security restrictions, Maryam Rajavi, the Iranian dissident and elected president of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), made a rare public appearance at the rally. Joining her were former US vice president Mike Pence, former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt and John Bercow, speaker of the UK House of Commons from 2009 to 2019.
The demonstration, organised by the NCRI, brought together large sections of the Iranian diaspora in Europe. "We are here today to make our voices heard against the Iranian regime and to support Maryam Rajavi in her call for democracy in Iran," said Afchine Alavi, the group's spokesperson.
Protesters urged the European Union to impose tougher sanctions on Tehran and to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. "Through this demonstration, we are showing our support for the Iranian resistance's call to dismantle the regime and build a democratic, secular Iran," said Alavi.
© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK - © BELGA VIDEO TIMON RAMBOER
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