An Albanian media outlet wrote that Albania has reached a strategic stalemate in how to deal with the terrorist organization Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK/MKO).
According to Habilian, the Albanian media "BIRN" comprehensively addressed the threats posed by the MKO in Albania, stating that Albania is now grappling with security challenges stemming from the activities of the MKO.
Parts of the report, prepared by "Fation Gjinaj" and "Eni Farhati," noted that the MKO is under investigation for incitement to war and cyberattacks adding: “Although the 12-day war that flared up in the Middle East may have ended, the Islamic Republic of Iran is today considered a serious threat to the security of Europe and the United States.”
Over the past two years, Albanian executive bodies have been engaged in a complex investigation against members of the MEK, accused of carrying out cyberattacks against Iran—attacks that constitute a violation of their humanitarian asylum agreement in Albania.
The Special Prosecutor's Office (SPAK) is investigating charges of incitement to war, illegal computer data collection, and computer system manipulation against members of the group.
Vladimir Mara, the case prosecutor, told BIRN: "We are in the stage of deep investigations, especially examining hundreds of seized devices. I can say that international partners are also participating in this investigation."
Turmoil in Camp Ashraf 3
Albania currently hosts about 2,500 members of the MKO in Camp Ashraf 3 in the Manzë Durrës area. Although their protected status has not changed, the Albanian Ministry of Interior informed BIRN that it is "reviewing requests for residency extensions for MEK members on a case-by-case basis."
An Albanian international relations analyst, said: "Albania knew from the beginning that accepting the MEK was a political risk, but it must be said that the country has failed to control it in a way that its security is not endangered."
BIRN writes that the analyst compares the recent history of the MKO with that of anti-communist Albanian communities in Western Europe during the Cold War, which gradually declined in number and political importance.
Camp Ashraf 3: An Independent City on Albanian Soil
The report adds: Since 2018, MEK members in Albania have been stationed at Camp Ashraf 3; a military-style base comprising 127 buildings in the Manzë Durrës area, covering about 40 hectares.
Of the approximately three thousand Iranians transferred to Albania, an estimated 450 have since left the camp and the country, some illegally.
The group is often described as a cult due to its worship of its disappeared leader, Massoud Rajavi, and his wife, Maryam. Since the 1980s, MEK members have declared that they have renounced family and romantic relationships to live a revolutionary life.
Police Investigations: From Social Networks to Cyber Attacks
In early 2023, Albanian cybercrime and anti-terrorism police launched an investigation against MEK members, accusing them of involvement in political activities and cyberattacks against institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The investigation initially focused on monitoring social networks, particularly Telegram, and ultimately led to a police raid on Camp Ashraf 3 on June 20, 2023.
The police entry into the camp was met with resistance and clashes from MEK members, resulting in injuries to 15 police officers and 21 camp residents.
At the end of the operation, 96 computers, ten laptops, tablets, and a large number of documents were seized. Some MEK members tried to destroy these documents with fire but were unsuccessful.
The Uncertain Future of the MEK in Albania
The report added: Redi Këlizi, a lawyer and expert on the case, said: "Albania accepted the MEK primarily for humanitarian reasons and under pressure from the US and the UN, but the lack of advanced security infrastructure and capacity to monitor the camp's activities has created challenges." According to him, Albania cannot handle this sensitive situation alone, and any decision requires coordination with the US and the UN.
Tafani also emphasized that Albania lacks a clear strategy for dealing with the MEK community, especially after allowing them to build an independent city, which has made their integration into Albanian society difficult.
The BIRN report concludes: "The problem is that if Albania wants to act, the entire political structure of the MEK collapses, and this is not acceptable to international allies. Ultimately, Albania is stuck in a strategic stalemate and is only trying to minimize the consequences of this situation."
According to the report, Western countries, especially Europeans, who have a long and undeniable history of creating, supporting, financing, and harboring terrorist groups and terrorists, have also supported the MKO terrorist cult within the framework of their approach of nurturing terrorists and instrumentally using them.
Western countries have provided and continue to provide extensive facilities to the MKO so that, in their view, they can misuse them to advance their anti-Iranian policies.
Albania's agreement to host the MKO terrorist organization on its soil, the removal of the MKO from the EU's terrorist list, the presence of Western political figures at MKO events, and the issuance of permits for their events by European countries are examples of Western support and sympathy for the MKO.
In fact, European countries, at the cost of endangering their own citizens' lives to achieve their anti-Iranian objectives, have become a sanctuary and supporter of the Rajavi cult.
A review of the actions of the MKO terrorist organization clearly shows that their principles are entirely consistent with crimes against humanity and in conflict with human rights and international law.