A few weeks ago, official Iranian news agencies and media outlets reported an incident involving the deception of individuals—commonly cited around 18 persons—in the city of Karaj, Iran. They were manipulated into participating in a propaganda stunt or network orchestrated by the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK). According to these reports, these individuals were initially duped under false pretenses, financial promises, or misleading job offers, only to find themselves used as part of the group’s clandestine propaganda and operational network inside the country. They were immediately arrested by Karaj Police.
In the 56th court session to try the MEK as an entity and 104 of its high-ranking members, 4 individuals of the Karaj propaganda show, appeared as “informed witnesses” to testify about how they were approached, recruited, and exploited. During their testimonies, the witnesses detailed the methods used by MEK agents and recruiters—often operating through online platforms or intermediaries—to lure vulnerable citizens. The arrested ones are now free. They got back to their normal life after passing the legal procedures.
The court proceedings shed light on the ongoing tactics employed by the MEK to recruit domestic elements for propaganda and subversive activities, highlighting the legal consequences faced by those who collaborate with designated entities, even when initially deceived. These 4 people, who remain unanimous, explained that they were unaware of the true nature and violent history of the group when they initially engaged with them:
A retired woman
This individual is a retired woman who was unwittingly drawn into the staged motorcade and propaganda parade in Karaj through her brother, who had himself been approached and deceived by recruiters connected to the MEK network. In her court testimony, she explained that her brother had invited her to what was deceitfully described as a festive birthday celebration or a private family gathering, assuring her that participation was harmless and even involved financial compensation. She stated before the judges that she had no knowledge whatsoever of any affiliation with the Mujahedin-e Khalq organization, nor did she realize that the event would be filmed and subsequently edited with opposition flags and slogans to create a false narrative of domestic unrest. Expressing deep remorse and sorrow for her inadvertent presence in the video footage, she emphasized how the organizers exploited family ties and financial needs to manipulate ordinary citizens into serving their subversive propaganda goals.
A young worker
This witness is a young worker employed at an auto parts factory who found himself unwittingly entangled in the staged propaganda parade in Karaj due to financial pressures and trust in a coworker. In his court testimony, he explained that his colleague, who was struggling economically and engaged in sideline work, invited him and others to participate in what was presented simply as the creation of an advertising clip. The witness stated that they were told the presence would last only 15 to 20 minutes, with specific payment rates promised depending on whether they participated with a motorcycle or a car. Emphasizing his complete unawareness of any hidden political motives or connections to the MEK, he testified that he joined the location solely out of friendship and trust in his coworker, having no idea that the footage would later be manipulated for hostile propaganda purposes.
Duped by a trusted coworker
This witness is a working professional who, alongside colleagues of about ten years, was duped into participating in the staged Karaj video under the guise of an advertising project. In his court testimony, he explained that a trusted coworker invited him to take part in what was described as a commercial teaser for a 61st birthday celebration, asking him to bring his personal vehicle to a specified location. He noted that upon arriving at the designated spot, he recognized that most of the attendees were ordinary workers and wage-earners just like himself, and because of deep-seated workplace trust and financial familiarity among them, he accepted the proposition without any suspicion. He firmly testified before the judges that he had zero knowledge or awareness of any hidden political agendas, subversive plots, or connections to the MEK behind the filming session.
Father of a two-year-old child
This witness is a 35-year-old married man with a two-year-old child who became unwittingly entangled in the staged Karaj propaganda clip due to friendly workplace ties and a lack of awareness regarding the true nature of the event. In his court testimony, he stated that he had recently been released from prison after about a month of detention related to the incident and was trying to rebuild his life alongside his wife. Explaining how he was drawn in, he testified that recruiters or associates merely asked him to wear a specific T-shirt for a company’s promotional advertisement and take a few photos, promising a simple commercial task. He strongly emphasized to the judges that his personal beliefs, lifestyle, and behavior bore absolutely no resemblance to or compatibility with the final edited video released by the MEK.
Extracted from Mizan News Agency report and translated by Nejat Society
