Today, Saturday, February 7, 2026, after consecutive days of media and local propaganda, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) is planning to hold a demonstration in Berlin, Germany. While MEK propaganda media are trying to impress the number of 100,000 people on public opinion and the media by repeating the phrase “some 100,000 expected at free-Iran rally in Berlin”, the reality of MEK demonstrations speaks of a different truth.
The truth that the Iranian audience cannot forget is that the MEK has no base among Iranians, and every time there is a publicity frenzy for MEK demonstrations, they respond appropriately to the group’s propaganda on social media by trending the hashtag #MEKterrorists.
In these situations, social media users try to enlighten and inform Iranian and non-Iranian audiences by publishing content about the cult-like, terrorist, and treacherous nature of the MEK and its unpopularity among Iranians.
The main purpose of the MEK demonstration is political competition and rallying against Reza Pahlavi because they have already failed the competition on the streets of Iran.
However, Massoud and Maryam Rajavi need a demonstration with a significant crowd for such a rally in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. In the previous days, MEK agents tried to attract the attention of citizens in the freezing weather of Berlin without mentioning the MEK by name, exploiting the protests of the Iranian people, but they were only met with hatred and disgust from Iranians living in Berlin, the videos of which are available on social networks.
The texture and arrangement of the crowd at MEK rallies
Based on his field observations and numerous reports on other MEK demonstrations, the composition of the participants and their arrangement in the rallies are as follows: the first rows are reserved for members and sympathizers of the group; in next rows, non-Iranians are placed to increase the size of the crowd.
This arrangement is the same in all MEK rallies. The ones in the first rows, with pictures of Massoud and Maryam Rajavi and MEK flags in their hands excited to appear to be supporters of the group, but the flags of Ukraine and Syria, etc. in the rows behind them indicate that it is not a national protest of Iranian patriots.
In various European countries, MEK agents visit refugee camps and promise free trip (for example to Berlin), travel expenses, and hotel accommodations to persuade a number of refugees to participate in demonstrations.
The Arab, Ukrainian and African refugees are told by the MEK recruiters that the demonstration will feature well-known speakers from all over Europe who have influence in national parliaments or the European Parliament so the larger the crowd, the greater the possibility of influencing asylum policies.
The full coverage of travel expenses and the appeal of a temporary escape from the harsh environment of refugee camps provide many refugees with a chance to escape from the harsh conditions of refugee camps for a few days. Here is the account of a Polish student who attended an MEK-run rally in Germany in 2015.
How to recruit local crowds
For the February 7 rally in Berlin, the MEK produced leaflets and small posters in both Persian and German with identical graphics. The German version of these flyers was distributed in high schools or sports clubs and in neighborhoods where immigrants live the most.
The flyers are designed to be “youth-friendly” and reads “In support of the uprising of the Iranian people” and does not name the organizer of the demonstration. The MEK organization knows well how much it is hated by the people, which is why it refuses to write its name.
There are some intermediaries who are paid to recruit their friends. For instance, if he or she brings five people with him, he will receive 2,500 euros. For each additional person, he will receive 500 euros more.
In exchange for money, the intermediaries are responsible for recruiting participants and conveying the organizers’ messages to the participants. The more people they recruit, the more they receive. Some participants also receive money directly from these intermediaries just to attend the demonstration waving the flags that are given to them.
The MEK – through intermediaries – advises participants to refrain from dialogue or interviews. Therefore, documentation is not easy. Asking friendly and informal questions should be flexible, and tailored to the situation on the scene. The MEK agents have coerced their forces to prevent documentation of their nationality and their motivation of participating the rally.
Mazda Parsi
