An Iranian dissident in the Netherlands was shot on Thursday morning in what may have been a regime-mandated attack.
The man, now identified as Mohamed (Mohi) Shafiei, works in the ICT department at the Police Services Center (PDC) in Schoonhoven. His current condition is unknown.
Chief of Police Janny Knol and PDC director Paul van Musscher confirmed on Friday that a “police officer of Iranian origin has been shot in Schoonhoven” and was “seriously injured.” They added that, “for now, the circumstances are still unclear, but this is a big blow.”
The police also confirmed that a special investigation team, Large-Scale Investigation Team, was working to find answers and to identify the perpetrator(s). No more information was provided by the police.
Mohi Shafiei has a large following on social media: around 42k on Instagram and 1800 on Telegram. He has been using both platforms to post information about Iran, and human rights abuses inside the country. He has also shared sensitive information about explosions, attacks and locations of missile installations in Iran. He has also expressed his support for the US and Israel, and is pro-monarchy.
‘Icy shudder runs through Iranian community’
According to previous reports, Shafiei had published material on his Instagram account exposing individuals involved in repression in Kerman province, and had received threats as a result. He has a wife and a two year old child.
Dutch Politician and lawyer Ulysee Ellian, who is of Iranian parentage, wrote “An icy shudder runs through the Iranian community.”
“I know what the long arm of the mullahs in Tehran is capable of. Hopefully the police investigation will bring clarity soon.”
Haarlem GroenLinks-PvdA councilor Matin Abbasi, also Iranian, similarly accused the regime of perpetrating the attack: “Not the first time that the Iranian regime attacks someone here,” he said, adding “the fight against this criminal regime remains necessary.”
The investigation is ongoing, and the Dutch prosecutor’s office has said that all possible scenarios are being considered.
