Six leaders of the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) in Albania are under investigation at large by the Durrës Police.
Albanian Police announced that the case involving six Iranians (aged 61-73) has been processed, and they are suspected of the criminal offenses of “Disobeying of a public order police officer”, “Resisting a public order police officer”, “Destruction of property”, and “Obstruction of the execution of court decisions”.
“During procedural actions carried out in accordance with the law, the police services encountered violent and continuous resistance from the individuals residing in the residence,” the police statement said.
It is further stated that the Iranian citizens “attempted to obstruct the police services in order to continue the inspections and seize material evidence – the object of the Court’s decision against Corruption and Organized Crime”.
Police also clarified that detailed investigations are ongoing to document the illegal actions committed by resident individuals in the Manza camp during the operation carried out by the State Police to control the internal premises of the camp.
Albanian police conducted an operation on June 20 in the Manza camp in Durrës, during which 15 police officers and 21 members of the MEK were injured.
Police stated that the control was carried out according to an order of the Special Structure against Organized Crime and Corruption (SPAK), which is investigating six criminal offenses suspected to have been committed by the Mujahedin members during their stay at Ashraf 3 camp.
These include “provocation of war”, “unlawful interception of computer data”, “interference with computer data”, “interference with computer systems”, and “misuse of devices” as stipulated in Article 293 and subsequent articles of the Albanian Criminal Code.
According to SPAK, all these offenses were committed within the framework of an “organized criminal group”, but the technical expertise of approximately 150 seized devices, including computers, laptops, and USBs, is expected.
The SPAK file highlights that members of MEK are suspected of carrying out several cyberattacks at different times against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Moreover, there are suspicions that MEK members are involved in criminal activities related to terrorism and its financing.
In 2013, at the request of the United States, the Albanian authorities agreed to accept about 3,000 members of the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (MEK).
The U.S. Department of State supported the police operation.
Peaceful situation in the Manza camp
On Wednesday, the situation in the Iranian camp in Manza was calm. There was no presence of State Police, and there were no protests or reactions from the members of this community.
The perimeter outside the camp is monitored by a private security company, which does not allow unauthorized persons to enter as directed by MEK leaders.
Warning signs prohibiting photography and filming inside the premises are placed at the entrance of the camp. Only on Tuesday, after the State Police operation, representatives of MEK invited all journalists to enter the internal premises and film everything to prove, according to them, the claims of violence during the operation. They told media that there had also been a victim following the police operation.
What was confiscated?
About a thousand forces of the Albanian Police intervened in the camp of the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran to carry out a search in the 127 facilities spread over an area of 40 hectares.
Minister of Interior Bledi Çuçi and General Director of the State Police Muhamet Rrumbullaku announced that the resistance of the camp members in Manza began when 17 rooms with servers and computer equipment were found.
As a result of resistance and protests, 36 people were injured, including 15 police officers and 21 MEK members. Police dismissed claims from MEK that one of its members, a camp resident, lost his life as a result of violence by the officers.
“No person was injured or touched by the police officers. On the contrary, the Police became a victim of their violence. From our side, only individual pepper spray was used, which did not have any life-threatening consequences for the residents,” Rrumbullaku said in a press conference a day earlier after the operation in Manza.
During the search, 96 computer units, 49 laptops, 2 tablets, 3 memory cards, and various scientific materials were seized, which MEK members attempted to destroy by burning.
Police also released drone footage showing MEK members attempting to burn various materials, while other footage showed Iranians coming out in front of police vehicles trying to prevent them from entering the camp.
In 2013, at the request of the United States, the Albanian authorities agreed to accept about 3,000 members of the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (MEK).
However, the spokesperson for the State Department emphasized that the U.S. does not provide support or training to MEK and does not contribute to the funding of this organization.
Iran considers members of this organization as terrorists. Meanwhile, Albania severed diplomatic relations with Iran after blaming it for a cyberattack that occurred in July 2022.
