Aswat al-Iraq

Saddam used MKO mercenaries to suppress Iraqi people

Iraqi Justice Minister: Saddam used MKO mercenaries to suppress Iraqi people but we don’t address them out of revenge

Iraq’s Minister of Justice and his Iranian counterpart sign four judicial memoranda of understanding in Tehran

Iraq’s Minister of Justice Hassan Shammari, and his Iranian counterpart Morteza Bakhtiari, signed four judicial memoranda of understanding in Tehran.

Iran’s Mehr news agency today reported that “the Minister of Justice Morteza Bakhtiari, announced during their meeting that four memoranda of understanding with the Iraqi side had been signed. The first three memoranda of understanding, on judicial cooperation in civil affairs and human rights, on judicial cooperation in criminal cases, and the extradition and transfer of convicts, as approved by parliament, and a fourth memorandum of understanding covering the transfer of convicts which remained, awaiting authentication by the Islamic Shura Council.”

Bakhtiari pointed out that during the past year, 40 memoranda of understanding and close cooperation have been agreed with the Iraqi government.

During the meeting, the Minister of Justice thanked the Iraqi government for having the measure of the members of the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK) opposition. He said, “Iran has had 12 thousand victims of [MEK] terrorism during the past 30 years, and the Iraqi government’s decision gives satisfaction to the families of the victims of the terrorist acts committed by the ‘monafeqin’ (hypocrites) [Mojahedin]. Through our knowledge of the ‘monafeqin’ we know they deal deceitfully with the Iraqi government and the United Nations.”

For his part, the Iraqi Minister of Justice said, “We have a special view of the Mojahedin. Saddam used them to suppress the uprising of the Iraqi people, and after the fall of Saddam, the organization continued its provocative practices. Even so, we do not address them out of revenge, and our actions are completely legal.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Minister of Justice replied to a question from an Iraqi Mehr News Agency correspondent on the number of Iranian prisoners in Iraq, saying that there are “400 Iranian prisoners in Iraq and all of them were arrested on charges of illegal entry into Iraq.”

Translated by Iran Interlink

April 20, 2013 0 comment

France

France supports transferring MKO members outside Iraq

written by Nejat Society

France expressed support over transferring members of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization outside Iraq, underlining its readiness to take part in coordination with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Iranian Fars news agency quoted French Foreign Ministry Spokesman Philippe Lalliot as saying that his country supports the UN plan to move the MKO to a third country.

Head of an Iraqi human rights group had said that Iraq seeks to try in absentia the members of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO, also known as the MEK, NCR and PMOI) in Iraq.

He said the people of Tuz Khurmato, who are victims of the MKO and the trial is going to be held in their city, expressed happiness and satisfaction over the issue.

February 14, 2013 0 comment

MEK Camp Ashraf

Ashraf Camp to be evacuated of MKO by end of this month

written by Nejat Society

Police sources said today that the anti-Iranian Ashraf Camp shall be fully evacuated by the end of this month. Ashraf Camp to be evacuated of MKO by end of this month

The source told Aswat al-Iraq that 2400 members of the camp were moved to Freedom Camp near Baghdad airport in six groups.

There are 800 members remaining who will be moved in two batches; the first will comprise of 600 members and the second 200.

The Camp shall be fully closed by the end of this month, the sources confirmed.

It was intended for the camp to be the headquarters of Dijla Operations Command, which includes Diala and Kirkuk military operations, due to the site’s location.

Iraq agreed with the United Nations to evacuate Ashraf Camp, Diala, 57 km northeast of the capital, Baghdad, and move its anti-Iranian members to an alternate camp near Baghdad before moving to another haven.

Ashraf Camp is the military camp of anti-Iranian Mujahidi Khalq (The People), which was regarded by the United States, Iraq and Iran as a terrorist organization, unlike the European Union which lifted it is name from terrorist organizations in 2009.

The members of the organization lack any legal position in Iraq, but the Iraqi government pledged to close it by the end of 2011.

September 10, 2012 0 comment

Iraq

No anti-riot unit in Liberty Camp [TTL], Interior Ministry

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Iraq rejects Mojahedin Khalq lies

Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman denied today that the anti-riot unit is present in Liberty Camp[TTL].

Liberty camp [Temporary Transit Location] is the new accommodation center for anti-Iranian Mujahidin Khalq organization members.

Mujahidin Khalq stated yesterday, Friday, that the anti-riot unit scattered in the camp to suppress its people.

Iraqi government decided to move Ashraf Camp residents of Mujahidin Khalq to a new camp called Liberty [Temporary Transit Location] as a substitute camp in cooperation with the United Nations, despite the rejection of the organization to this move.

April 24, 2012 0 comment

MEK Camp Ashraf

Iraq sole responsible for Ashraf residents security

written by Nejat Society

The United Nations and Iraq have signed a memo-of-understanding (MOU) Monday to achieve a humanitarian and peaceful settlement of the inhabitants of the anti-Tehran Mujahedin E-Khalq’s Ashraf Camp in northeast Iraq to a new location, a UN statement, copy of which was received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency, reported.

It pointed out that the MOU was signed by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Iraq, Martin Cobler and the Iraqi Council of Ministers’ Adviser for National Security Affairs, Faleh al-Fayad.

"The United Nation’s attention in this issue had stemmed from a mere humanitarian viewpoint, as it had exerted its utmost effort to find out a neutral, peaceful and permanent settlement for the affairs of Ashraf residents conditions," the statement stressed.

The statement added that "the MOU respects Iraq’s sovereignty and international humanitarian commitments, related to Human Rights, as well as those stemming from the human rights of Ashraf Camp’s residents, "confirming that the residents of the new location of Ashraf would commit themselves for Iraqi laws.

It also stressed that "the MOU was reached through several joint meetings between representatives of the UN and the Iraqi government, and following serious consultations by the UN with the Camp’s residents."

The UN Representative had made it clear that "the MOU would pave the way for a process, according to which the Iraqi government would help to transfer the Camp’s resident to a temporary location, in such a way that would help the United Nations Commission for Refugees Affairs to appoint a team in the new location, that would begin to check demands for immigration that it would receive and finalize such demands."

It also confirmed "a clear commitment by the government of Iraq that it would secure the safety and security of the residents of the new location, as well as the government’s commitment to assure the Iraqi Human Rights Ministry’s active participation in all the stages of the process, including the appointment of a special officer to organize the relationship among all parties."

The UN Representative said: "We would like to make it very clear that this MOU is related to the voluntary transfer, and its implementation strongly depends on the participation of all parties to act in a peaceful manner and good intention, in such a way that would allow the UN to contribute in the process."

"I would like to point out that the (Iraqi) government is the sole responsible for the safety and security of the said residents, during the process of their transfer and in their new location, till their departure from the country; and I repeat my call for the UN member-states to accept the residents of the Camp in their countries," he said.

Noteworthy is that the Iraqi government had issued a decision to end the presence of Mujahedin E-Khalq Organization in Iraq before the end of the current year of 2011, charging it as being a "terrorist" organization, that had participated in killing Iraqis.

The anti-Tehran Organization uses the Ashraf Camp in northeast Iraq’s Diyala Province, as its location since it had moved its command for Iraq in 1985, during which it had enjoyed support by the former Iraqi regime, including the launching of attacks against Iran.

December 29, 2011 0 comment

Iraq

Maliki, Kobler discuss evacuation Ashraf Camp

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Premier Nouri al-Maliki discussed with the new UN representative to Iraq the necessity of evacuating Iranian Ashraf camp by the end of this year, according to a Premiership statement.
The statement, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, added that Maliki met Martin Kobler during which he expressed full support to the UN mission in Iraq.

Both sides discussed joint matters, especially the evacuation of Ashraf camp and the necessity to implement Iraqi Cabinet resolution on this matter.

Iraqi government issued a final resolution to end the presence of Iranian opposition Mujahidin Khalq by the end of this year, because it is a terrorist organization that participated in killing the Iraqi people.

Mujahidin Khalq are stationed in Ashraf camp in Diala province since it moved its headquarters in 1985.

On his side, Kobler said he will continue UN work in full coordination with the Iraqi government according to UN Security Council resolution.

He stressed that the UN prepared a paper containing its vision of the situation in Iraq till 2015, where "the situation proved to be with the ambitions of the paper", as the statement said.

October 17, 2011 0 comment

Iraq

Iraq: Ashraf Camp will be closed, West should take MKO back home

written by Nejat Society

Iraq’s Foreign Minister, Hoshiar Zibary, has said during his current visit for Tehran, that Ashraf Camp, in northeast Iraq, inhabited by the anti-Tehran Mojahedin E-Khalq Organization, must close by the end of the current year.

“The Iraqi government’s position towards the ‘terrorist’ Mojahedin E-Khalq Organization is very clear, and the Ashraf Camp, used by that group as its headquarters must close by the end of the current year, 2011,” Zibary told a joint news conference with his Iranian Counterpart, Ali Akbar Salehy, in Tehran, carried by the Iranian Fars News Agency on Wednesday, adding that “Baghdad had called on International Organizations to help it in this issue.”

Zibary said that during his talks with his Iranian Counterpart in this respect: “We have proposed the formation of a special committee, to comprise representatives of the Iranian and Iraqi sides, along with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the Committee is scheduled to convene in the nearest possible time.”

The Iranian Al-Aalam Satellite TV Station had quoted Zibary as saying that “the Western states must present help in this respect, including the acceptance of persons, belonging to the said ‘clique,’ wishing to move to their countries, as well as preparing the suitable platform for the return of those of them, wishing to return to Iran.”

Answering a question about the dossier of the Iranians, detained in Iraq, he said: “The Iraqi government had released hundreds of Iranians, who were detained in Iraq due to the end of their official residence or ignoring Iraqi laws,” confirming that the Iraqi government was striving to release the remaining Iranians in the near future.

Regarding Iraq’s position towards the developments in Bahrain, Minister Zibary said: “We respect the sovereignty of Bahrain and believe that the Bahraini people must appoint their government and system, and define their fate by themselves,” reiterating Iraq’s rejection of atrocities against Bahraini demonstrators, “because today’s world does not allow such measures against demonstrators, demanding their rights.”

As regards to the future of the foreign forces in Iraq, the Iraqi Foreign Minister said that “the political forces in Iraq were coordinating their attitudes, in order to define a final position towards the future of the American forces in the country.”

Iraq’s Foreign Minister, Hoshiar Zibary, had began a visit for the Islamic Republic of Iran, leading a high-level delegation, representing his Ministry’s leading officials in the bilateral, legal and consular affairs, to carry out talks with the Iranian side and discuss Iraq’s relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

June 25, 2011 0 comment

Iraqi Authorities' stance on the MEK

Zebari: Time is ripe to solve the question of Ashraf

written by Nejat Society

EU Foreign Minister Catherine Ashton had a telephone call with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiar Zebari (Tuesday night) during which bilateral relations were discussed.

EU Foreign Minister Catherine Ashton had a telephone call with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiar Zebari

Minister Ashton expressed the concern of the European Union for the future of Ashraf camp residents.

In a statement by Iraqi Foreign Ministry, Minister Ashton said " the European Union is keen to develop and activate its relations with Iraq according to the agreement signed between the two sides, which reached its final stages for ratification".

"The EU is keen to cooperate in the fields of oil and gas", Ashton added in the statement.
Zebari expressed the stand and decision of the Iraqi government "to close the camp by the end of this year" and to demand from European countries "to accept the residents of the camp in their countries."

"The Iraqi government will abide by its humanistic obligations towards the inhabitants of the camp," Zebari added.

The "time is ripe to solve the question of Ashraf camp residents, particularly when considered that the Iraqi constitution does not accept any foreign organizations that defy its sovereignty and jurisdictions," he added.

Zebari extended an invitation to Minister Ashton to visit Iraq, the statement noted.

May 12, 2011 0 comment

Iraq

Hundreds in Diala protest against Mojahedin Khalq

written by Nejat Society

Hundreds of Diala residents staged on Friday a massive protest in front of Ashraf Camp demanding to deport members of the Mujahedeen Khalq Organization (MKO) out of the province, Khales mayor said.

“The protestors called for deporting the members of the organization for their involvement in supporting armed groups and destabilizing the security condition in Diala,” Uday al-Khadran told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
Hundreds in Diala protest against Mojahedin Khalq
The members of the organization live in a fenced-off camp in Diala, north of Baghdad.

The MKO, which began as part of the Iranian resistance to Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi’s rule in the mid-1960s, was driven into exile after Iran’s 1979 revolution and re-formed in Iraq, where it was nurtured by Saddam Hussein.

After the American invasion, it was disarmed and its members recognized as refugees by the United Nations.

May 8, 2011 0 comment

Iraq

Six Mojahedin Khalq members arrested in Diala, Iraq

written by Nejat Society

DIALA- Six members of the Iranian opposition group Mujahideen-e-Khalq were arrested in Diala on charges of involvement in the acts of riot in Camp Ashraf on Friday, an official government source in the province said on Sunday.

“The six MEK members were arrested by Iraqi forces in accordance with Article 413 of the law after they were suspected of involvement in recent incidents in the camp that left dozens of its inhabitant and Iraqi security forces killed or wounded,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

He did not elaborate on the nature of charges that will be pressed against them.

Iraqi security forces had said on Friday that three Iranian MEK refugees in Camp Ashraf in were killed while the Iraqi security forces were trying to set up a security point inside the camp.
“The Iranian group clashed with the Iraqi forces, prompting the Iraqi security to open fire on them, killing three MEK refugees,” an Iraqi security source said.

“Two Iranians set themselves alight in front of the Iraqi forces prior to the clashes, while others pelted the Iraqi soldiers with stones, injuring six of them,” he added.

However, MEK sources had said on Friday that a Youtube clip showed an Iraqi army force storming Camp Ashraf, leaving 28 people killed and dozens others wounded.

The clip, shot by MEK supporters, showed Iraqi forces using armor vehicles in their raid on the camp, which had been under the protection of U.S.

forces after they entered Iraq in 2003 prior to transferring the responsibility of its protection to Iraqi security agencies.

MEK has been based in Camp Ashraf in Diala province, 57 km northeast of Baghdad, since 1980s during the eight-year-long Iran-Iraq war.

Several politicians within the Iraqi government have been striving to drive the organization out of the Iraqi territories, claiming that the MEK fighters took part in suppressing the Shiite uprising that broke out in southern Iraq after the second Gulf War in 1991 against the former regime.

April 11, 2011 0 comment

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