Albanian authorities conducted a raid on the Ashraf-3 camp, which houses members of the exiled Iranian opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq. The purpose of the raid was to seize 150 computer devices that were allegedly connected to prohibited political activities. During the operation, several individuals, including police officers and Iranian dissidents, sustained injuries. While the Mujahedeen group claimed that one person was killed, Albanian authorities disputed this claim.
The Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime initiated investigations into the alleged political activities of Mujahedeen members. Albanian Interior Minister Bledi Cuci and the head of the national police, Muhamet Rrumbullaku, referred questions regarding the nature of these violations to prosecutors, emphasizing that the police were simply carrying out a court order to seize evidence.
The People’s Mujahedeen of Iran, also known as MEK, agreed to abide by Albanian laws and refrain from political activities when they sought shelter in the country in 2013. The Ashraf-3 camp, built in 2019 by approximately 2,500 Iranian exiles, consists of 127 buildings spread over 100 acres of Albanian territory.
During the raid, some camp residents attempted to block the police officers. Their leaders did not cooperate, according to Rrumbullaku. In the ensuing confrontation, 15 officers were injured, and 21 Ashraf-3 residents required hospitalization due to injuries sustained from the use of pepper spray as a defensive measure by the officers.
Albanian Interior Minister Cuci expressed his displeasure and offense at the reception received by the police.
Regarding the fatality, the MEK spokesperson, Shahin Gobadi, claimed that an Iranian man named Ali Mostashari was killed, and over 100 camp residents were injured due to police firing pepper spray. However, Cuci denied that police actions were responsible for the death of a man in his late 70s and stated that the authorities were awaiting the results of an autopsy.
The Mujahedeen-e-Khalq initially emerged as a Marxist group opposing the rule of Iran’s former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. While they initially supported the 1979 Islamic Revolution, they later turned against the clerical government of Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The group engaged in assassinations and bombings within the Islamic Republic. After fleeing to Iraq, they aligned themselves with dictator Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. Many Iranians began to oppose the group due to their association with Hussein. Although they are mostly based in Albania now, the MEK claims to maintain a network within Iran.
Additionally, MEK members in Albania have openly admitted to hacking or infiltrating the communication systems of the Iranian government and institutions.
Tensions between Iran and Albania have persisted since Albania offered shelter to MEK members ten years ago. Last year, Albania experienced a cyberattack that was attributed to the Iranian Foreign Ministry by the government and multinational technology companies. This attack, believed to be retaliation for Albania harboring Iranian opposition figures, prompted the Albanian government to sever diplomatic relations with Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry denied involvement in the attack and pointed out that Iran has also been targeted by cyberattacks from the MEK.
The United States, NATO, and the European Union supported Albania, a NATO member, in response to the cyberattack. The U.S. vowed to take unspecified action against Iran, deeming the incident “a troubling precedent for cyberspace.”
In conclusion, the raid on the Ashraf-3 camp in Albania targeting the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq resulted in injuries to police officers and Iranian dissidents. Questions regarding the alleged political activities of MEK members are currently being investigated, and tensions between Albania and Iran have escalated due to cyberattacks and diplomatic fallout.
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