Two Iranian Women Set Themselves on Fire Following Recent Arrests of Mujahideen Members in Paris - 2003-06-18

Two Iranian women set themselves on fire in Paris to protest the crackdown on a group opposing the Islamic Republic regime. Rescuers say the condition of one of the women is critical due to severe burns on her face and chest. There are conflicting reports regarding the second woman, who reportedly self-immolated a few hours after the first. The women are among at least fifty Iranians who gathered in Paris today to protest the widespread arrests of members of the Mujahideen Khalq organization in 13 cities across France. French police are still holding 26 of the approximately 160 individuals arrested yesterday. Maryam Rajavi, the wife of Massoud Rajavi, the leader of the Mujahideen Khalq, is also still in custody. The Mujahideen announced ten years ago that Maryam Rajavi should be elected as the president of Iran. The Mujahideen group opposes the current Islamist regime in Iran and had its main base in Iraq until recently. French authorities say they arrested the Mujahideen members due to suspicions that they were preparing for terrorist acts or financing such operations. They claim that in raids on Mujahideen properties in the Paris area, computer materials and over one million dollars in cash were seized. A spokesperson for the Mujahideen says the accusations against the organization are baseless. Yesterday, one Iranian protester in London set himself on fire in front of the French embassy. His injuries are severe, but his life is not in danger. British police say the man who self-immolated was among fifty individuals protesting the French police's actions against the Mujahideen Khalq. Additionally, in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, police prevented another Iranian from self-immolating after he doused himself in gasoline. The United States and the European Union have designated the Mujahideen Khalq as a terrorist organization. The Mujahideen played a role in the Islamic Revolution of 1979 to bring Ayatollah Khomeini to power, but after the Islamic regime consolidated its power in Iran, it brutally suppressed the Mujahideen, whom it viewed as a rival. The leaders of the Mujahideen initially fled to France but were expelled in 1986 and took refuge with Saddam Hussein, the former dictator of Iraq, finding shelter and a base in Iraq. Following military operations against Saddam led by the U.S., the Mujahideen Khalq ceased hostilities and surrendered their weapons to U.S. forces.