While the MEK constantly repeated in its propaganda before the so-called “2026 Free Iran” rally that 100,000 people were expected to participate, according to the highest estimate, which Reuters published, the actual number was around 8,000. The reported number were actually brought, bused or flighted to the demonstration site.
The Free Iran rally was held by the MEK in Berlin, Germany, on February 7, 2026, to mark the anniversary of the Iranian Revolution. The event had been organized more than a month in advance and, after spending a lot of money on advertising, in order to prepare a rented crowd, finally took place on Saturday.
MEK’s rented crowd Berlin As predicted and previously reported, a large part of the crowd was consisted of non-Iranians, and the rest were a few MEK sympathizers who had been brought in from all over the world. These people literally came from Scandinavia, all over Europe and Germany and even the United States and Canada to fill the ranks; to make the rally seem crowded.
This type of crowd mobilization comes at a high cost to the MEK. Add the cost of transportation, flights, hotels, food and drinks to bring in thousands of people to the five-digit speaking fees that they pay the speakers.
Bused-MEK crowd
Despite spending this much, the Iranians did not allow the MEK to feed the media with their fake stories and narratives from their fake popularity among Iranians. Cyberspace and social networks are flooded with images and videos confirming the large presence of Ukrainian, Syrian, Afghan and Kurdish refugees among the participants.
Images from official German news agencies, including Berlin Berlin TV, show the presence of numerous Ukrainian and Syrian flags, as well as booths distributing free sandwiches and drinks and the demonstrators who are served.
MEK-run Sandwich Booth
Images and videos have also been released of participants riding buses from all over Europe and Germany to the event, which are good to see to know the type of citizens who attended the rally. There are non-Iranians on these buses who are heading to Berlin for a free one-day trip.
MEK’s rented crowd Berlin
In a video, an Iranian user enters the ranks of participants who are having fun and chatting, and in a quick move he asks random people about their nationality. Before being pushed away, he reveals that most of the people attending the event are not Iranian.
The documented reports show that the support Maryam Rajavi has is largely paid. The MEK’s propaganda machine has to lie about the number of people who attend their rallies. The group’s rebranding attempts are failed.
Mazda Parsi