Following the visit of the leader of the MEK (Mujahedin-e-Khalq) terrorist group to Italy and her speech before a group of Italian lawmakers, several Italian media outlets have sharply criticized their country’s politicians for embracing the controversial figure.
According to Habilian, the Italian website Come Don Chisciotte published an article titled “Maryam Rajavi in Rome: In the Heart of Europe, Is Terrorism Being Welcomed?” The piece noted that this visit took place despite the fact that many human rights organizations consider the MEK to be a violent and destructive cult.
Critics cited by the outlet argue that the invitation extended to Rajavi is not only an endorsement of violence and terrorism but also a blatant violation of international law and the European Union’s own principles in countering terrorism. Human rights advocates and political analysts have long described the MEK as a dangerous cult whose foundation and survival have been based on terrorist acts. They believe the group’s removal from terrorist blacklists was a purely political move and does not reflect any real change in its nature.
The outlet emphasized that Italy, itself a victim of both domestic and international terrorism, should be acutely aware of the dangers of legitimizing violent groups. It recalled Italy’s historical struggle with homegrown terrorist organizations such as the Red Brigades (Brigate Rosse), arguing that many Italians view the government’s reception of Rajavi as unacceptable. According to the article, welcoming a figure with such a controversial past undermines the country’s core values and its commitment to combating terrorism.
The Italian news platform Assadakah News also published reactions to the visit, quoting one critic as saying: “Hosting someone like Maryam Rajavi in Rome is not only an insult to victims of terrorism but also sends a dangerous message to the world. It shows that the principles of fighting terrorism can easily be sacrificed for short-term political gains.”
The article also reported that Iran’s ambassador in Rome has sent official letters of protest to the heads of the Italian Chamber of Deputies and Senate, condemning the MEK’s long record of terrorism. The ambassador warned that the group continues to engage in subversive and illegal activities—including espionage and incitement to violence—with the financial and political backing of some European countries. The diplomat stressed that giving a platform to a terrorist group in Italy amounts to fueling violence and spreading hatred.
In conclusion, the Italian outlet posed a pointed question: Does Europe truly remain committed to fighting terrorism, or does it only confront those groups that conflict with its political interests? And how can Italy serve as a diplomatic bridge while at the same time hosting the leader of a designated terrorist organization? Rajavi’s visit to Rome, it warned, casts a troubling shadow over Europe’s moral and humanitarian principles.