NY Times:
MANEZ, Albania — In a valley in the Albanian countryside, a group of celibate Iranian dissidents have built a vast and tightly guarded barracks that few outsiders have ever entered.
Depending on whom you ask, the group, the Mujahedeen Khalq, or People’s Jihadists, are either Iran’s replacement government-in-waiting or a duplicitous terrorist cult. Journalists are rarely allowed inside the camp to judge for themselves, and are sometimes rebuffed by force.
But after President Trump’s decision to assassinate Qassim Suleimani, a powerful Iranian general, it seemed worth trying again. Would a group that claims to want a democratic, secular Iran allow a reporter inside their camp?
The group’s loudest allies include Rudolph W. Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, and John R. Bolton, his former National Security Adviser. Both have received tens of thousands of dollars for speaking at the group’s conferences, where these influential Americans describe the People’s Jihadists as Iran’s most legitimate opposition.
Initially, the group ignored several requests for access. So less in hope than desperation, I drove to its base and presented my credentials to a guard.
Three hours later, shortly before sunset, I got a call. To my surprise, I was being allowed inside. So began a series of interviews, propaganda sessions and tours that lasted until 1:30 a.m. A New York Times photographer was admitted several days later.
The group perhaps hoped to correct the impression left by previous journalistic encounters. A visit in 2003 by a Times reporter to the group’s former base in Iraq ended badly after her subjects spoke from a rehearsed script, and she was barred from talking to people in private.
This time around, most residents were off limits, but officials did allow private interviews with several members.
At my request, these included Somayeh Mohammadi, 39, whose family has argued for nearly two decades that she is being held against her will.
“This is my choice,” said Ms. Mohammedi, after her commanders left the room. “If I want to leave, I can leave.”
While the group may not have tried to hide Ms. Mohammedi, there were several odd and telling moments when secrets were tightly held.
In particular, senior officials stumbled when asked about the whereabouts of the group’s nominal leader, Massoud Rajavi, who vanished in 2003.
“Where is he?” said Ali Safavi, the group’s main representative in Washington. “Well, we can’t talk about that, that’s … ”
He trailed off, staring at his feet.
Is he still alive? Is he in Albania?
“We can’t talk about it,” Mr. Safavi replied, after several seconds of silence.
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MEK must and will have a definitely well-deserved role in the process leading to the demise of the IRI...
Take a look at the pictures in the article, like the guys in the café in Tirana or the 2 old guys playing chess in a park, and then declare these old, sick, destitute bunch deserving a role in the future of Iran. These folks deserve a place in a senior home with dementia, right next to a cemetery!
I’m sure you have those kinds of places in Toronto!
I feel bad for these people (MEK) stuck in Albania even if I am not sold on their ideology whatever it is!
MEK a well-known traitor group and the single most hated group in Iran and vast majority of Iranians.
Their leadership deserve what every traitor deserve
the brainwashed rank and file deserve a proper care by licensed phycologist/psychiatrist and perhaps reunite with their family once they are properly de-brainwashed.
When it comes to gun violence, don’t pray vote instead
The impeached tRump is helping to make Russia great again
BDS to deprive the oppressive occupied miltary of its bullets and bombs
Buy American, say NO to Chinese made impeached tRump
“The time is always right to do what is right” – Martin Luther King
The well-deserved role that MEK played in supporting Khomeini and bringing so much misery to millions of Iranians justifies a well-deserved place in Albania for the aging survivors of this cult.