Albanian Police: Seized MEK Equipment Has Not Been Sent Abroad

The Albanian police rejected the claims of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the possession of seized computers from the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) organization in Albania. On Thursday, July 6, the Albanian police released a statement, a copy of which was sent to Voice of America, stating that "none of the seized computer equipment or the information extracted from them has been sent outside the territory of Albania." The statement, published in the media of this country, also emphasized that "none of the investigative bodies or the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Corruption and Organized Crime in this country have had contact with the government or citizens of Iran." The Albanian police described the published news as "fabricated" and accused the publishers of these news items of pursuing goals beyond public information in some cases. Previously, Sepehr Khalaji, head of the Iranian government's information council, implicitly claimed that the seized computers of the MEK in Albania had reached the Iranian government and that operations to recover information from this equipment had begun. On July 3, Khalaji tweeted without naming a specific group or organization, stating, "Part of the hard drive and case has arrived; we are busy recovering information, identifying contacts and sabotage cells, and blind spots." This claim was made a few days after the Albanian police inspected the location of MEK members at Camp Ashraf 3 in the city of Manez, located in western Albania, and seized some computer equipment belonging to this organization. Following the publication of this Iranian official's claim, the MEK demanded accountability from the US and Albania regarding this matter and investigations into the veracity of this claim. According to a statement from the Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, "213 computers" were seized during the Albanian police raid on Camp Ashraf 3. Over the decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has arrested or executed many individuals on charges of activity and connection with the MEK. The US has emphasized its support for Albania's right to investigate any illegal activities within its territory, stating that it has not intervened in this operation and has made no requests to Albania in this regard. The Albanian police announced that the purpose of the inspection of Camp Ashraf 3 was to "thoroughly examine all internal spaces and offices" and "due to suspicion of organizing cyber attacks against other countries." In its statement, the Albanian police emphasized its commitment to "protecting the legal interests of its citizens and all residents of Albania." The Albanian Ministry of Interior has also accused the MEK of violating the agreement for the settlement of its members in this country. The US again denied any involvement in "the Albanian police operation at Ashraf 3." Exclusive: A member of the National Council of Resistance: The US and Albania should explain the transfer of computers to Iran. The Prime Minister of Albania: We do not want to be the "battlefront" between the MEK and the Islamic Republic. The Albanian police are stationed in front of the "Ashraf 3" base; all vehicles are being checked. The Albanian police interrogated six members of the MEK in connection with "criminal charges." Exclusive: The Biden administration supports Albania's right to investigate "the possibility of illegal activities on its territory." Albania: The MEK violated the 2014 agreement; no one was killed during the search.