Ashraf 3

In the Tirana’s countryside, MEK has constructed a vast compound called Ashraf-3 where men and women lead segregated existences.
The gates are usually firmly closed, guarded by two sculpted lions atop stone pedestals and a large team of Albanian security guards. Unannounced visitors are not welcome at the fenced-off, secretive site, where more than 2,000 MEK members live, marks Shaun Walker.

Albania

Albania: Cyberattacks and the dead end in the management of Camp Ashraf 3

Ashraf-3, the fortified camp of the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) in Manzë, Albania, is a “city of exiles”: approximately 40 hectares with over a hundred buildings, isolated by high walls and checkpoints. Around 2,500 dissident refugees live there under strict internal rules, a “sect” whose members are denied a normal family life and can only conform to the association’s uncompromising line.

To understand the misfortune that has befallen Albania by welcoming these refugees expelled from Iran, let’s clarify that the MEK group originated in Iran in the 1960s as a radical student group (the so-called “Marxists with bombs”), but after the Khomeynist revolution it evolved into a dogmatic, sectarian, and anti-Iranian guerrilla fanaticism. At least 17,000 people have been confirmed dead as a result of MEK terrorist attacks (scientists, politicians, academics, and ordinary Iranians). Its members, who fought against Iran alongside Saddam Hussein in the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran War, are fanatical worshipers of Masoud Rajavi—presumably dead in 2003—and his wife, Maryam. Until recently, the organization was labeled a “foreign terrorist organization” by both the United States and Iran.

After 2003, they proclaimed their renunciation of violence to become “supporters of human rights.” In 2013, the group was granted official refuge in Albania. But what is really interesting is the group’s double standards. While the Rajavi leaders preach a life of austere and revolutionary sacrifice for ordinary members, they themselves live in unbridled luxury in Paris, where they maintain a political umbrella. (Le Canard Enchaîné showed Maryam Rajavi—the group’s self-proclaimed president—and an entourage of bodyguards renting an entire spa resort in Vichy, spending €29,000 in cash on massages, mud baths, and hydrotherapy; the year before, the Rajavis had spent the same amount on travel.) Meanwhile, in Ashraf-3, ordinary members endure a rigid militarization without telephones or news, following inflexible schedules, often sleep-deprived and ill.

For over a decade, Albania has served as a refuge for Mojahedin-e-Khalq exiles. Initially a humanitarian gesture on the Albanian side, the reception of the MEK has now become a serious security concern and is effectively beyond the control of Tirana, which is appealing to its Western allies to investigate the MEK’s crimes in Ashraf-3 by searching for evidence of cyber-attacks launched from within the camp. Hosting the MEK has turned Albania into a “front line” of Iranian hostility. In July 2022, hackers paralyzed the e-Albania portal, delaying school registrations and real estate deposits: a “cyber war” for which Albania immediately severed diplomatic relations with Tehran, accusing it of these actions.

In early 2023, Albanian state prosecutors accused MEK members of secretly conducting cyberattacks and activities against the Iranian government. Months of online surveillance pointed to a vast hidden “troll factory” in Manzë. In June 2023, Albanian authorities decided to intervene, and on June 20, 2023, the “Special Police” raided Ashraf-3 on the orders of a Special Court, armed with search warrants for espionage and cybercrime. The camp sealed its entrances, and the incursion was met with fierce resistance and dozens of injuries, although the exact toll and details are unknown. However, the police seized around a hundred workstations and dozens of laptops, tablets, and drives, saving them from the MEK’s attempted destruction. The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) formally announced an investigation into “incitement to war, unlawful interception of computer data, interference with computer systems,” and related offenses: a criminal case of unprecedented severity, built on evidence discovered at Camp Ashraf-3.

In June 2025, a hacker group openly boasted of sabotaging Tirana’s municipal websites “in retaliation” for Albania’s hosting of “terrorists.” The Iranian hacker group Homeland Justice claimed to have extracted data from the city’s servers and threatened further attacks, so much so that Albania has now formally asked its NATO and EU allies to help decrypt Ashraf-3’s computers for incriminating evidence.

This spiral of hostility was predictable. Albania knew that inviting over 2,500 MEK members onto its soil would provoke Tehran. However, under intense pressure from the United States and the United Nations, Tirana ignored these warnings. The result is that the MEK camp in Ashraf-3 is now a ticking time bomb on Albanian soil, as the group’s own anti-Iranian propaganda has turned Albania into a primary target for Iranian cyber attacks. Western and Albanian analysts now claim that the MEK is “out of Albania’s control” and that Albania has reached a “strategic dead end” in managing the MEK, which has now emerged as a self-governing terrorist enclave that threatens regional security, incubating anti-Iranian propaganda and cyber warfare operations between Iran and the West. The MEK enclave of Manzë is effectively outside Albanian jurisdiction: it has its own internal police force, leadership hierarchy, and code of conduct. With evidence of illicit activity emerging, Tirana is on high alert. Roads to the camp are blocked by checkpoints. Technology agencies and police regularly scan the network perimeter, as the MEK group could hack foreign governments. Hosting the MEK has turned Albania into a target of a hostile foreign power (Iran), far beyond what Tirana could have anticipated.

The case also highlights the double standards of Western policy toward Iran. Indeed, under the guise of promoting democracy in Iran, the European Union has repeatedly praised Tirana for hosting the MEK, removed the group from its list of terrorist organizations, and prominent Western politicians have welcomed MEK leaders with open arms. Tehran, on the other hand, has consistently condemned the MEK as “sponsored terrorism,” calling Ashraf-3 an American plot. It has incited local sentiment against the Albanian authorities, creating divisions within the Albanian public. Some Albanians see the MEK as victims of Iran, while others see it as a group preaching war within its borders.

Maria Morigi of MARX21.IT

Translated from Italian to English by Nejat Society

November 12, 2025 0 comments

Albania

MEK, a complex security challenge for Albania

The Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) is currently under criminal investigation in Albania for suspected cybercrime, inciting war, and other offenses, according to Balkan Insight. This comes after Albanian authorities conducted a raid on their Ashraf 3 camp in Manza, Durrës, on June 20, 2023.

The investigation, led by Albania’s Special Structure against Organized Crime and Corruption (SPAK), centers on allegations including “provocation of war,” “unlawful interception of computer data,” “interference with computer data,” “interference with computer systems,” and “misuse of devices”. These offenses are suspected to have been committed within the framework of an “organized criminal group”.

During the raid, police seized approximately 150 devices, including computers, laptops, and USBs. Albanian authorities state that the raid was conducted lawfully and that the MEK had committed to refraining from political activities when they were resettled in Albania between 2013 and 2016.

Beyond the recent raid, the MEK has faced other accusations and investigations. In March 2021, Facebook accused the MEK of running a “troll farm” from their Albanian base, leading to the closure of over 300. There have also been reports of former MEK members alleging restrictive practices within the camp, including limited contact with family and strict internal rules. Thus, the group’s presence and alleged activities pose several risks to Albanian national security, primarily due to its long-standing conflict with Iran and the resulting retaliatory actions by Iran against Albania. The MEK’s danger to Albanian national security stems from several factors:

Iranian Retaliation and cyberattacks

Albania’s decision to host approximately 2,500 MEK members between 2013 and 2016, resettled from Iraq, has made it a target for Iran. The Iranian government views Albania’s accommodation of the MEK, which presents itself as a future government-in-exile and allegedly carries out cyberattacks against Iran, as a hostile act. This has led to a significant escalation in cyberwarfare, with Iran launching damaging cyberattacks against Albania’s critical digital infrastructure.
For instance, on September 7, 2022, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama publicly attributed a series of cyberattacks to the Islamic Republic of Iran, leading Albania to terminate diplomatic relations with Tehran. These attacks were believed to be retaliation for Albania sheltering the MEK.

Strain on Albanian Resources and International Relations

Hosting a controversial opposition group like the MEK places a significant burden on Albania’s security apparatus and diplomatic relations. The ongoing threat of Iranian retaliation necessitates increased cybersecurity measures, intelligence gathering, and law enforcement efforts, diverting resources that could be used elsewhere. The situation also requires Albania to seek continuous support from allies like the U.S. and NATO in the cybersecurity realm.

MEK’s Cult-like Behavior and National Security Implications

The concern that the MEK’s cult-like behavior poses a threat to Albanian national security is a significant aspect of the ongoing debate. Critics and former members describe the MEK as having a rigid hierarchical structure, demanding absolute loyalty from its members, and isolating them from external influences. This isolation and control over members’ lives could make them vulnerable to exploitation or manipulation, potentially leading to actions that are not in Albania’s best interest.
The potential for a group operating outside the full oversight of Albanian law, with its own internal rules and command structure, raises concerns about sovereignty and the rule of law. Moreover, if the MEK were to engage in activities that provoke international incidents or internal unrest, Albania’s national security could be directly jeopardized.

MEK’s unauthorized activities in Albania

Regarding the MEK’s violent background, Albanian authorities have specifically investigated allegations of unauthorized political activities, financial irregularities, and the use of their Albanian base, Ashraf 3, for cyber operations targeting Iran, which could be seen as a violation of Albania’s neutrality and sovereignty.
SPAK has been actively involved in these investigations, conducting raids and seizing assets as part of their inquiries into alleged money laundering and terrorist financing. The Albanian government stated that the June-2023 operation was based on suspicions of the MEK using Albanian territory for activities that violate the country’s laws and international agreements, specifically mentioning cyberattacks against foreign states and the unauthorized use of their compound for political and security operations. These investigations are ongoing and involve allegations of money laundering, tax evasion, and the misuse of their humanitarian status.
The Albanian government’s actions suggest a growing concern that the MEK’s presence and activities are not merely a humanitarian issue but a complex security challenge requiring robust legal and investigative measures.

Mazda Parsi

September 3, 2025 0 comments

Albania

Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation.
Between 2013 and 2016, Albania welcomed around 2,500 members of an exiled Iranian opposition group, resettled from Iraq after coming under attack from pro-Iranian groups in the wake of dictator Saddam Hussein’s fall.

Albania says that, under the deal, Mujahedin-e-Khalq [People’s Mujahedin of Iran], or MEK, committed to refrain from political activities.

A decade or so later, however, MEK finds itself under investigation on suspicion of cybercrime and inciting war.

Experts say it is hardly surprising, and reflects a failure on the part of Albanian authorities to monitor the activities of a group vehemently opposed to the Islamist regime in Iran.

“Probably the Albanian authorities were well aware about the dangers involving the decision to welcome [MEK], so it is clearly a failure that they were not kept under monitoring in order to prevent security breaches,” said international relations expert Endri Tafani.

Fatjon Gjinaj and Eni Ferhati – balkaninsight

September 2, 2025 0 comments

Missions of Nejat Society

Mothers Protest against MEK’s presence in Durres, Albania

A demonstration was held in Durres, the city where the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) is based, at the initiative of Nejat Society Albania.

The demonstration, which took place right in front of the municipality of Durres lasted for an hour. Albanian mothers who are members of Nejat Society Albania distributed flyers to the public to enlighten them about the MEK’s inhumane actions, including not allowing mothers to visit their loved ones, not even receiving letters, opposing the Red Cross in this regard.
The flyers read: “Dear people of Durres! Unfortunately, the group that has occupied part of your city has ruthlessly deprived all its members of basic human rights. One of these rights is the right to contact their families. We have a large number of letters that need to be delivered to them. Please help us in this noble and blessed work by kindly and vigilantly transferring these paper butterflies between families and their loved ones in the MEK, because family is the most precious thing in the world.”

During the rally, Nejat Society Albania also read a statement addressing the Albanian government:
“The honorable Albanian government,
We, former members of the MEK, sympathetically declare that the organization we were once members of is far from human rights, democracy, and humanity. For this reason, its presence in every country has always been accompanied by tension. The group has only been able to cooperate and accompany with a dictatorial host like Saddam Hussein.”

Nejat Society Albania warned the Albanian government and citizens that The MEK’s independent presence in Albania running a dangerous group independently from the Albanian government and isolated from the Albanian society with its own laws is certainly a terrible blow to the freedoms stipulated in Albanian laws.

The demonstrators demanded the government to treat the MEK members like all refugees in all European countries so that their trapped members enjoy the minimum freedoms of a human being today. According to them, the MEK’s independent and controlled base inside Albania is not only meaningless and annoying, but also contrary to the interests of the government and people of Albania.

May 24, 2025 0 comments

Human Rights Abuse in the MEK

The lack of freedoms and human rights in Ashraf 3 camp

Ashraf 3 camp is a place where members of the Organization of the Mujahideen People of Iran (MEK) have been sheltered after leaving Iran and previous attempts to fight the Iranian regime. This analysis focuses on the lack of freedom and human rights in this camp, examining how living conditions and restrictions imposed on MEK members reflect their deprivation of freedoms and fundamental rights.

One of the most noticeable aspects of the lack of freedom at Ashraf 3 camp is the restriction of the movement of individuals. MEK members are locked inside the camp and have very little opportunity to travel outside of it. This restriction is a sign of isolation and a lack of autonomy, making them feel confined in a tight space, unable to enjoy the freedom to choose their lives.

Another aspect of the lack of freedom and human rights is the restriction of ways to communicate with outside world. MEK members are unable to communicate freely with their families and friends due to information verification and strict rules within the camp. This kind of restriction of social and family connections is a grave deprivation of the right to communication and development.

Living conditions in Ashraf 3 camp are insufficient and difficult. MEK members live in strict conditions, with little opportunities for freedom of expression, personal development and to have a dignified life. Opportunities for education, work, and activities that could help individuals develop and contribute to society are often lacking. These conditions violate the human rights and dignity of any individual, forcing them to live in conditions of persecution and isolation.

Another element of the lack of freedom in Ashraf 3 camp is information control. MEK members are often required to follow certain opinions and obey certain rules, which restrict freedom of thought and expression. This control of information makes it impossible for individuals to develop independent thought and to criticize their own reality. Often, this leads to a kind of “forced praise” and a lack of freedom to openly discuss different ideas and thoughts.

MEK participants often face uncertainty, fear, and ongoing stress about their future. They feel threatened and frightened by the possibility of violent and unjust punishments, making their lives a long period of suffering and fear.

In response to the living conditions in the Ashraf 3 camp, there has been reactions from various human rights organizations and several countries. Many of these organizations have raised concerns about human rights violations and the lack of freedom that the MEK group has. The insecurity and difficult living conditions in these camps have been criticized as outright violations of international human rights standards.

The lack of freedom and human rights in Ashraf 3 camp is a reality that has profound impacts on the lives of MEK members. They are deprived of opportunities to enjoy life the way they please, to have open and free relationships, and to express their opinions without fear. This isolation and lack of freedom is a reflection of the difficult and unfair conditions they face, creating an oppressed and controlled environment, where freedom is a seemingly distant aspiration.

January 22, 2025 0 comments

The cult of Rajavi

Emotional isolation of MEK members

Prohibition of meetings with family members at Ashraf 3 camp has caused a profound and extensive impact on the lives of the Mujahideen, affecting many aspects of their emotional, social, and psychological health. This decision has created a severe atmosphere of isolation and reinforced the feeling of detachment from the outside world, negatively impacting the overall well-being of individuals.

First of all, emotional isolation is one of the most obvious consequences of stopping meetings with family members. Family is often the primary source of emotional support for most individuals. For camp members who face many challenges within a closed environment, connecting with their loved ones would be a valuable opportunity to find solace and emotional stability. Withholding these contacts has created a strong feeling of loss and isolation, significantly deteriorating their mental health. Camp members feel cut off from the outside world and often face a deep sense of loneliness, which makes them more vulnerable to depression and stress.

In addition, the lack of contact with family members has also increased tensions and concerns within the camp. While these meetings could have provided some sort of stability and security for members, banning them has created an atmosphere charged with uncertainty and stress. Members often feel frustrated and worried about their families, experiencing anxiety about their well-being, and feeling unable to do anything to help. This lack of connections with loved ones has worsened their overall well-being and has caused internal tensions in the camp.

Another important aspect affected by this ban is the importance of social connections and support the family provides. Social connections are necessary for motivation and emotional stability of individuals. Family not only provides emotional support, but it is also an important source of motivation and guidance for many people. When camp members feel cut off from this vital support, they often experience a drop in morale and lose their sense of purpose or motivation. Furthermore, social isolation negatively affects the ability of individuals to maintain good mental health and cope with stress.

On the other hand, banning meetings with family members may reinforce the perception that the group is closed-minded and controlling, creating distrust and anxiety among camp members. When contact with family is banned, members may feel trapped and limited in their personal decisions. This situation makes them feel controlled and unable to influence their lives, reinforcing the perception that the group is closed to the outside world and does not want to create spaces for external dialogue or connection. This perception can weaken their confidence in group leaders and cause a heightened sense of distrust and discontent.

Another critical aspect is the impact that this ban has on the process of rehabilitation and integration of individuals. Contacting family is often an essential part of the rehabilitation process for individuals who have experienced major trauma or challenges in life. Family provides a sense of belonging and stability, which is important for emotional and psychological recovery. Prohibiting meetings with families has hindered this rehabilitation process, bringing ongoing emotional and psychological problems to camp members. This restriction makes it harder for them to cope with inner challenges and find emotional peace.

In summary, banning meetings with family members at Ashraf 3 camp has had profound and multiple impacts on the lives of its members. This decision has created emotional isolation, increased tensions and concerns, weakened social support and has negatively impacted the rehabilitation process of individuals. For camp members, contact with family members is an important part of their emotional and social wellbeing, and a lack of this contact has worsened their overall condition.

Ela Sulollari (Deda)

October 19, 2024 0 comments

The cult of Rajavi

Albanian citizen comments on the MEK isolated members

Every time I see the members of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization in the streets of Tirana, I recognize them without hesitation. This quick recognition is not only because of their appearance, but also because of their special way of behaving, which is very different from the world around them. MEK members always move in groups of three or four, as if this structure is part of their strategy of solidarity or looking out for each other. This habit alone can indicate the depth of belonging to the group, which may have been rooted from long years of struggle and living in closed environments.

But what attracts more attention than anything else is the way they are covered. The clothes they are wearing, especially the old and worn trousers, take me back to the time when Albania was under the leadership of Enver Hoxha. These clothes seem to be a symbol of forty years ago, an era that seems to have never ended for them. This old and repetitive clothing style is a reflection of a past life. It is as if these people have stopped in time and are not willing to accept changes and modernity. Even the shoes they wear are the same and unchanged, a sign of a cultural uniformity that has kept itself separate from the outside world.

Every time I come across these scenes, these people appear in my mind like beings from another planet, as if they have mistakenly stepped here, in Tirana. This mental image may be caused by some kind of alienation that ripples in their behavior and appearance. But behind this superficial image lies a deeper story of the political and ideological past. A story of a group that was born with revolution and struggle, but now in the midst of the turmoil of a changing world, it still adheres to old traditions and beliefs.

I hope that a day will come when these people can make the right decision for their future. A decision that will bring them out of the shadow of the past and from isolation and connect them to the modern and real world.

I always get a lump in my throat when I talk to family or friends and tell them stories about the Rajavi cult and their base in Manez, Durres. Since the members of this group have not been able to see their families for many years, they have stayed away from their parents, siblings. These stories create a deep sense of fear and concern because they show how controlling and restrictive this cult can be. In a world where technological advancements make it possible to be connected to the whole world, it is strange that this group still uses its members in the style of old times, isolated from the real world.

This situation is not only an example of the internal dictatorship of an organization, but also reminds of the dark times of slavery. Where a person is forcibly deprived of the outside world and even the smallest human rights are ignored.

Edona Hunda, Member of Nejat Society Albania

October 14, 2024 0 comments

Missions of Nejat Society

CEO of Nejat Society pens letter to the ICRC

International Committee of the Red Cross

Greetings and Regards,

On behalf of the Nejat Society in Iran, I wish to congratulate the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day on Wednesday, May8, 2024.
Nejat Society represents the families of members of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK, MKO) who are trapped in a remote and isolated camp in Albania. These families have not heard from their loved ones for many years, which is because the leaders of the cult do not allow their members to communicate with the outside world, particularly family and friends.
According to those who managed to escape from this camp, the most basic human rights of the members are violated and the European Convention on Human Rights, which Albania is also a signatory, is systematically violated.

In the mandate & mission of the Red Cross we read:
It (ICRC) takes action in response to emergencies and promotes respect for international humanitarian law and its implementation in national law.
The ICRC also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles.
. . . the ICRC, with the support of the entire Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, has constantly urged governments to adapt international humanitarian law to changing circumstances, . . .
According to this mandate, when the basic human rights of the members of the MEK are continuously violated inside the camp of this organization in Albania and the members are exposed to systematic brainwashing, the World Red Cross ought to urge the Albanian government to implement international and European humanitarian laws in MEK camp in Albania.
Last year, I submitted the families’ requests to connect with their loved ones, along with many documents to the ICRC office in Tehran, and they promised to handle the case and cooperate, but so far no answer has been received.

On behalf of the grieving and awaiting families, I request you to fulfill the main task of the International Committee of the Red Cross and provide the possibility of communication between the families and the missing members inside the MEK camp in Albania through the Albanian government.

The families have absolutely no information about the situation in the camp and the conditions of their loved ones. They do not know if their loved ones are still alive and live inside the camp. No one knows whether they have deceased or have been transferred to another country. There is no information about the physical and mental health of these people. Are they imprisoned and curfewed? These people are considered missing and disapeared from the point of view of their families. According to the information received from the former members, the relations inside the camp have the status of modern slavery, due to the mind control that is applied.

I also request you to remind the responsibility of the government of Albania to comply with the human rights convention of the Council of Europe and ask this government to firstly remove the ban on giving visas to Iranian families of members of the MEK to travel to Albania and secondly open the doors of the camp in Albania to families and the free world so that families can visit their loved ones along with representatives of the Red Cross and be sure of their physical and mental health.

I look forward to your reply

Respectfully,
Ebrahim Khodabandeh
CEO of Najat Society

May 11, 2024 0 comments

Albania

What we expect from the Albanian government?

More than 7 years have passed since September 2015, when the relocation of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) from Iraq to Albania was completed. The group has been settled in the territory of a European country, Albania, which is one of the signatories of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). But they still behave as if they are under the umbrella of the former dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein; The MEK apply their cult-like mind control system over members; they do not allow their members to decide with their own free will.

For nearly eight years, the leaders of the MEK cult have deprived the members of their basic human rights in Europe as well, and instead of allowing the members to contact and communicate with their families, they have brainwashed them.

Why should the members of the MEK in Albania be so enslaved and trapped by the cult leaders that they cannot freely choose a profitable job for themselves like any other refugee in the country. The Rajavis should stop forcing defectors to spy other defectors by threatening them.

Why shouldn’t the members have the right to marry and live independently after being in Albania for about 8 years? They should be given the opportunity to live a normal life, get married and have children.

Why can’t the media activists freely go inside the Manez camp in Albania, so that the voices of the dissident members can be heard. With the withdrawal of cult-like control over members, the truth of inside the camp will be known to public and the government of Albania.

Why should the sick members be kept under the control of the MEK inside the Manez camp like slaves”? They are deprived of medical, medicinal and convalescent needs. Eventually, some of
them die or come close to death every day.

Undoubtedly, if the Albanian government had prevented the leaders of the MEK from continuing their cult-like and violent actions in its country, the death rate in this cult would have been significantly reduced. If the Albanian government had proper control over the Cult of Rajavi, many members who died due to diseases would be alive now.

Why does the Albanian government allow the leaders of a destructive cult, who boast of their violent and terrorist actions and incite people to violent acts, to continue this propaganda?

Didn’t the government of Albania notice how the leaders of the MEK led their members to clash with the police on June 30th, 2023?

Isn’t the experience of the MEK conflicts with different Iraqi governments after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and their experience of conflict with the Albanian police not enough for the government of this country to realize that the group is violent in nature.

The government of Albania must pave the way to remove cult-like regulations from the isolated Manez camp and instead, the law governing the country of Albania should be applied in the camp. This is the minimum expectation that the families of MEK members have from the Albanian government and it is the minimum that the Albanian government should as the consequence of hosting the group.

As Iranians, it is our tradition to visit each other during Nowruz and spend the New Year with our closest relatives. I hope the government of Albania fulfills this minimum request of the families, which is to visit their beloved children, and allow the families of the members taken as hostages in the Cult of Rajavi to have the opportunity to contact and meet their children freely.

Iraj Salehi, defector of the MEK and member of Nejat Society
Translated by Mazda Parsi

April 2, 2024 0 comments

The cult of Rajavi

Modern slavery in Europe on the verge of the second quarter of the 21st century

Currently, nearly 2000 members of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK, MKO, Rajavi Cult) have been settled in an isolated and remote camp near Manëz or Manzë city in Durrës province for about 7 years. They consider themselves to be the alternative of the Islamic Republic of Iran and want to overthrow the current Iranian regime by resorting to violence and bloodshed. By its own admission, this group is responsible for the lives of about 12,000 individuals in Iran.
The MEK actively participated in the Iran-Iraq war under Saddam Hussein’s rule in Iraq for many years, of course on the side of Iraq and against its own country, and also participated in many crimes against the people of Iraq, especially the Kurds in the north and the Shiites in the south.

After the fall of Saddam Hussein, the governments of Iraq one after the other wanted the exit of this organization, which they considered a threat to national security, until finally based on the agreement made with the then government of Sali Berisha (the leader of the right-wing Democratic Party of Albania). This organization was transferred to Albania with all its members as a humanitarian measure and settled in an isolated and remote camp near the city of Manëz in Durrës province.
What was narrated above is related to the recent and distant past and is not the subject of this article. Our current issue is a completely human rights matter. In addition to everything that has been said, the MEK violates the most basic human rights of its members on a daily and systematic basis. This is our issue today. It can be boldly said that there is no outside control over the internal anti-human relations of this camp in Albania, and practically modern slavery has been exposed in Europe on the threshold of the second quarter of the 21st century, and the Albanian government either does not want or cannot take action, to stop this process.

Mrs. Ela Deda, a criminologist and the legal director of the Nejat Society of Albania, in her speech at the women’s conference of the Nejat Society of Albania on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, 2024, at Villa Nejat Hall in Tirana, stated:

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) (official name: Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms) is an international instrument for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. This convention was prepared in 1950 by the Council of Europe. It is mentioned in this convention that:

Article 2 – Right to life (Article 2 protects the right to life of every person).

Article 3 – Prohibition of Torture (Article 3 prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and there are no exceptions or limitations to this right.)

Article 5 – Right to liberty and security (Article 5 stipulates that everyone has the right to liberty and personal security.)

Article 8 – Right to respect for private and family life (Article 8 stipulates the right to respect private and family life.)

Article 10 – Freedom of expression (Article 10 protects freedom of expression limited only by “lawful” restrictions that are “necessary in a democratic society.” This right also includes freedom of thought.)

Article 12 – The right to marry (Article 12 states the right to marry and form a family for adult women and men [1]).
Meanwhile, the Republic of Albania wants to enter the European Union and is trying to align itself with the European legal and judicial standards. It is worth mentioning that this convention is approved by the Council of Europe and the Republic of Albania, as a member of the Council of Europe, is one of the signatories of this convention [2].
Now we will discuss some provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and its examples in the Manëz camp in Albania:

Article 2 – Right to life

The MEK in Albania does not pay the least attention to the health of its members in terms of medical and health care, and the deaths that are constantly reported indicate this lack of care. It does not mean that treatment facilities are not available, but the MEK has deprived people of free access to these facilities. Many reports have been received that there is a lot of delay in bringing people to doctors and hospitals in Durrës or Tirana due to the fear of dissatisfied people running away. MEK members cannot easily leave the camp and go to medical centers in Albania.

Article 3 – Prohibition of torture

Former members of the MEK have reported systematic acts of psychological and physical repression in the inquisition meetings, as well as insults, humiliation, slander, and even physical encounters for forced coercion in the Manëz camp in Albania. The psychological destruction of the members has sometimes led them to the border of insanity, and currently there are many mental cases inside the camp that are kept in complete isolation. Inhumane and humiliating treatment is a common practice in the MEK in Albania to destroy people’s psychological defense so that they can take away the ability to say “no” from them so that they always give a positive answer to any illegitimate request.

Article 5 – Right to liberty and security

No member of the MEK in Albania feels safe and is always afraid of being targeted for repression and punishment, without reason. In the MEK, there are no written rules and regulations that can be cited, on which a person can be accused and punished, but the discernment of the leaders at any time is considered as law and regulation. It has been officially announced that the wishes of the organization’s leadership at any time are considered the law of that time.

Article 8 – Right to respect for private and family life

No one in the Manëz camp of the MEK in Albania has any privacy whatsoever. The MEK has invalidated and prohibited any kind of privacy based on its cultic doctrine. Based on the brainwashing that takes place, people are even obliged to report their night’s sleep and pay for it. Free thinking is rejected under the title of mental wandering or intellectual liberalism.

Article 10 – Freedom of expression

People in the Manëz camp do not have the right to disagree or even question the performance of the organization and its leadership. The MEK in Albania has a cultic pyramid structure with the leader at the top of the pyramid. Criticism is allowed only from top to bottom, and towards oneself in front of the official. No question is answered by logical discussion but psychological repression is done to silence the person. All methods of forced coercion are constantly used.

Article 12 – The right to marry

The right to fall in love, get married, form a family, and have children in the camp of the MEK in Albania does not exist at all. Forced celibacy, which is an anti-human imposition, is applied within the relations of the MEK in Albania. In the Manëz camp, gender segregation is implemented in the most severe possible way. There are no families or children in this camp. The family is called a nest of corruption. The main enemy of everyone is considered to be his family.
All of the above and many more clearly prove that destructive cultic mind control methods are practiced inside the remote and isolated Manëz camp. According to the laws and regulations in European countries, brainwashing and mind control and the impositions carried out in this camp are crimes, but the Albanian police and judicial system have closed their eyes on these cases for years.

Right now, in the most blatant way possible, the rights enshrined in the European Convention, drafted, ratified and enforced in the mid-20th century, are being violated on Albanian soil by a destructive mind control cult, and it is the responsibility of the Albanian government to put an end to this situation. And put an end to cultic relations in Manëz camp in Durrës province, which is nothing but modern slavery.

All human rights organizations should demand that the gates of this mysterious camp with medieval connections be opened to the media, government officials and human rights investigators to find out what is going on inside this terrible fortress. Many former members inside and outside Albania are ready to testify at any place and at any time to provide details of this blatant violation of the most basic human rights of the members.

The fact that the MEK has been able to force people to voluntarily give up their human rights, by using mind control methods over time in its cultic base, does not fundamentally change anything, and the responsibility lies with the human rights institutions. Humanity does not accept this, because in practice what is really happening is that still the most basic human rights are violated, and this situation must be terminated immediately. If a person does not demand his rights due to mind control and brainwashing methods in an isolated environment and even volunteers for brutal mental and physical torture, should the torturer be allowed for doing it?

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1- The European Convention on Human Rights, (official: Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms), is an international treaty for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe, which was drafted in 1950 by the New Foundation prepared by the Council of Europe, and entered into force on September 3, 1953.
European Convention on Human Rights
https://www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/echr/Convention_FAS
This convention has 59 articles and 16 additional protocols, in each clause of which there are many examples from within the organization, which are enough to condemn the MEK for violating basic human rights.

2- The Council of Europe (It is different from the European Union and should not be mistaken) has 46 members from European countries, including Albania. Albania is one of the countries that has signed the European Convention on Human Rights and is committed to its implementation.

March 24, 2024 0 comments

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