Albanian Police Raid Iranian Dissidents Camp, Seize Computer Devices

Albanian police have raided a camp near Tirana home to members of the exile Iranian opposition group Mujahedin-e Khalk (MEK), and seized 150 computer devices allegedly linked to prohibited activities.

Albanian authorities said both police officers and Iranian dissidents were injured during clashes at the Ashraf-3 camp on June 20. 

The opposition group said one person also died. The Albanian authorities denied responsibility.

Police said the operation was carried out on the orders of the Albanian judiciary due to the "violation of agreements and commitments" made by the group when they settled in Albania a decade ago.

Police declined to provide specifics on what the investigation was about, but local media reported that the operation was part of a probe into cyber-crime.

Media reports said that when police arrived at the camp hundreds of MEK members tried to repel the officers. The group accused the police of using pepper spray.

According to Interior Minister Blendi Cuci, police did all they could to avoid causing "incidents," adding, "The Mujahedin violence toward the police is intolerable." 

He said that officers were awaiting a forensics report into the death of a man in his seventies.

State Police Director-General Muhamet Rrumbullaku said 15 police officers and 21 MEK  members were injured and several police cars were damaged.

Police seized 96 computer units and about 50 laptops and tablets, he said.

Under a UN and US-backed deal in 2013 that saw them leave Iraq, the MEK settled in Albania and other countries.

Their numbers have grown to around 2,800 people at Ashraf 3, the largest MEK camp in the world.

In 2022, Tirana cut off diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic, accusing it of carrying out massive cyber-attacks against Albania.

Tehran considers the MEK a terrorist group.