Albania, long under pressure from Iran, is now facing complex internal security challenges linked to the Iranian opposition group Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK). According to an investigation by Reporter.al, journalists Fatjon Gjinaj and Eni Ferhati report that Albanian authorities are probing MEK members for alleged cyberattacks against Iran and possible crimes including “provoking war.”
Since 2013, Albania has hosted around 2,500 MEK members in the fortified Ashraf 3 camp near Durrës, relocated from Iraq with U.S. and UN support. While their status is humanitarian, recent activities have drawn scrutiny from local authorities. In June 2023, a police operation in the camp led to clashes, injuring 15 officers and 21 camp members, and resulted in the seizure of nearly 100 computers, laptops, and other materials, some of which MEK members attempted to destroy.
Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK) is investigating allegations of illegal cyber operations targeting Iran, while analysts warn that the country has become a geopolitical flashpoint. The Iranian regime has repeatedly attempted to undermine MEK through disinformation, cyberattacks, and even alleged plots against Albanian soil.
Experts highlight that Albania lacks a long-term strategy for MEK’s presence, especially as the camp functions almost as an autonomous city. Analysts argue that while the group is viewed by Western allies as a counterweight to Tehran, its activities increasingly expose Albania to risks.
The situation illustrates a delicate balance: Albania’s humanitarian role clashes with national security concerns, leaving policymakers dependent on U.S. and UN support to manage both the group and Iranian threats.
Source: Reporter.al, Fatjon Gjinaj and Eni Ferhati