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- Spanish court says attempt on former politician's life linked to opposition to Iran leadership</p>
<p>July 9, 2025 at 10:09 PM</p>
<p>MADRID (Reuters) -Spain's High Court charged eight individuals on Wednesday with the attempted assassination of former right wing politician Alejo Vidal-Quadras over his ties to an Iranian opposition group and support for dissident groups.</p>
<p>Vidal-Quadras, 80, a founder of Spain's far-right Vox party, was shot in the face by a motorbike pillion passenger as he walked through Madrid's upscale Salamanca neighbourhood on November 9, 2023. The bullet passed through his jaw.</p>
<p>Investigating judge Santiago Pedraz said the assault was ordered by unidentified individuals seeking revenge for Vidal-Quadras' advocacy for resistance to Iran's clerical government.</p>
<p>"Unidentified individuals instructed members of the criminal organisation...to carry out 'a mission' consisting of ending the life of Alejo Vidal-Quadras," the judge said in a court document seen by Reuters.</p>
<p>The suspects, Pedraz said, were part of a coordinated group involved in crimes targeting the lives of individuals, with some members reportedly under investigation in multiple countries.</p>
<p>The Dutch intelligence agency said earlier this year it suspected Tehran of being behind two assassination attempts in Europe. The suspected hitman in the Vidal-Quadras case was arrested in Netherlands, where he is also linked to an assassination attempt on an Iranian resident.</p>
<p>The eight suspects, charged with membership in a criminal organisation and attempted terrorist murder, are alleged to have procured materials such as vehicles, funds and weapons as part of their operation, the judge said.</p>
<p>"I am very happy that the judge has produced this statement because that reflects the reality of the case," Vidal-Quadras told Reuters on Wednesday. "Let's hope that now the government will take some action."</p>
<p>Prosecutors and defence lawyers may appeal the charges before the case moves to trial.</p>
<p>Iran had included Vidal-Quadras on a sanctions list in October 2022, in retaliation for EU sanctions imposed after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurd arrested for allegedly flouting Iran's mandatory dress code.</p>
<p>(Reporting by Emma Pinedo and Aislinn Laing;Editing by Bernadette Baum)</p>
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