21 minutes agoIranians in Albania Reject Police Controls
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)Since the early morning hours of June 20th, state police in Albania have been conducting raids on the facilities where some 3,000 members of the Iranian opposition are sheltered at the Munza Camp in Durres. According to the announcement, police said the raids are being conducted at the verdict of the Special Court against Corruption and Crime [...]
According to the announcement, police said the raids are being conducted under the verdict of the Special Court against Corruption and Organised Crime and the Order of the Special Structural Against Organised Crime and Corruption (SPAK).
Representatives of Iran's Association of People's Mujahedins (MEK) said a person has lost his life as a result of the use of tear gas by police.
According to MEK, several others were injured as a result of police intervention. These claims were dropped by the Interior Ministry in Albania.
“The intervention of the State Police has been consistent with the law and in proper application of procedures requiring such operations. State Police actions for law enforcement have been carried out, as in any other part of the territory of the Republic of Albania. Unfortunately, there has been resistance within the camp to the performance of State Police”, the Albanian Interior Ministry announced.
According to this ministry, the raids have been mandatory, as the MEK organisation violated the agreement it signed with Albania in 2014.
The court's “decision is the result of actions that openly fall against the agreement and commitments made by the MEK group since 2014, when they settled in Albania only for humanitarian purposes. Unfortunately, this group has not adhered to these commitments by breaking agreement”, the Interior Ministry said.
Police said earlier that controls are being conducted by respecting ethics and communication, as well as the fundamental freedoms and rights of all citizens and community living in this camp.
Currently, no warrants have been issued, but authorities said that at the end of the raids they would provide details.
In 2013, Albanian authorities have agreed to the request of the United States to accept about 3,000 members of Iran's Organisation of People's Mujahedin (MEK).
Iran views its members as terrorists. Albania has severed diplomatic relations with Iran, after blaming Iran for standing behind a cyber attack that took place in July 2022.
Meanwhile, a year ago, it was canceled, for security reasons from terrorist threats -- the World Summit of Free Iran -- to be held on July 23rd and July 24th at <x0raf>Araf 3” in the Durres Manza.
