The Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) is notoriously known among Iranian opposition. Once an Islamic-Marxist anti-West group in Iran and later an ally of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, it has a long history of violent acts in Iran and Iraq. The European Union listed it as a terrorist organization until 2009. The U.S. and Canada also listed it as a terrorist entity until 2012. However, since its removal from terror list, it has been endeavoring to portrait itself as a democratic alternative to the Iranian government, but it is still unpopular among Iranians inside Iran and the Iranian diaspora.
As an example of the outcome of the MEK’s multimillion-dollar lobbying campaign, the leader of the MEK, Maryam Rajavi, was received in an event at the Italian Parliament, last week. Eventually, the Iranian foreign ministry summoned Italy’s Ambassador to Tehran Giuseppe Perrone to protest the Italian parliament’s hosting of the ringleader of “the anti-Iran terrorist Mujahedin Khalq Organization”. Iran called on Italy to respect its international obligations in the fight against terrorism.
On the other side was an Iranian opposition figure, Alireza Akhondi, the Swedish politician who had warned the world politicization in particular the ones of Italy to beware that the MEK does not represent the aspirations of the Iranian people. Akhondi was born in Iran and is of Iranian descent.
On July 5th, 2023, a few days before Maryam Rajavi’s meeting with the Italian parliamentarians, Akhondi twitted, “It is necessary to convey to world politicians that the People’s Mojahedin Khalq organization does not speak on behalf of the Iranian people.”
Regarding the recent “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in Iran, He wrote, “The People’s Mojahedin Organization, previously on the terrorist list in Western countries, has made increased efforts to attract support from various European and American politicians, primarily by focusing on its lesser-known political branch, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). However, it is crucial to emphasize that they do not truly reflect the desires of the Iranian people for a future Iran characterized by a secular democratic system and respect for human rights in the Integrated Iran.”
Akhondi asserted that the MEK has attempted “to seize control and hijack the revolution from the brave people of Iran”. This Iranian_Swedish politician made it clear to politicians “that their current support for the People’s Mojahedin Khalq as a representative of the Iranian people is unacceptable.”
He promised to illuminate the Italian politicians about the true nature of the MEK in his trip to Italy. “During my upcoming trip to Italy, where I will meet with political parties, including the Radical Party, I will emphasize this point and raise awareness about the unrealistic claims of the People’s Mojahedin Khalq as representatives of Iranians,” he stated.