Camp Ashraf 3 (MEK camp in Albania)
# Camp Ashraf 3 (MEK camp in Albania)

Camp Ashraf 3 is the current headquarters of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran in Manëz, Durrës County, Albania. it is located in Manëz. This camp is located in an area between the capital of Albania (Tirana) and the coastal city of Durres. In 2013, after the closure of the Camp Liberty, the members of the Mojahedin organization were transferred to European countries, mostly to Albania. The Albanian government received 25 million dollars from the United States, and Saudi Arabia expanded its relations with the small country of Albania.

2300 members of MEK live in the camp. The APnews reported in 2022 that 3000 members live in the Tirana camp of MEK, which is guarded by Albanian security forces. The journalist of NYT claims to have seen only 200 people in the camp.

## History

In 2009, the responsibility of the MEK was given to the Iraqi government by the American army. It led to American and United Nations diplomats discovering a secure place to accommodate MEK. The group was accepted by Albania, after one year. “Albanian government hoped its hospitality would curry favor with Washington, according to the foreign minister between 2013 and 2019, Ditmir Bushati.” The cam was built on some fields in a valley 15 miles west of Tirana. Camp Albani includes different sections, such as a gym, a small cafeteria, a museum about the M.E.K.’s history, and a recording studio for producing anti-regime songs and music videos for release on Iranian social media.

## The situation of members in the camp

In the camp of Tirana, it is forbidden to carry mobile phones, watches, or calendars as well as the situation at previous Mujahidin camps. SPIEGEL describes that they live "in a time capsule". According to Spiegel, the members try to cut throats with knives, break hands, and gouge out eyes with fingers in their weekly exercises.The Iranian government believes that MEK is in charge of the assassination of 12,000 Iranians over three decades.

On February 2022, Patrick Kingsley, the NYT journalist got an allowance to visit the camp. There was permission for him to interview some members privately, such as Somayeh Mohammadi. She said to him, “This is my choice,” “If I want to leave, I can leave.” Ali Safavi, the group’s main representative in Washington told him, we are not allowed to talk about Massoud Rajavi. He described that when I entered the camp, it was empty. I knew that 2500 members live there, but I saw just 200 members, during two days. They seemed to be separated from the rest or left the camp.

### Daily confessions

According to an interview of a 55-year-old fugitive with the Guardian, members had to make forced confessions in front of other members about his sexual or romantic fantasies on a daily basis and could then be reprimanded and humiliated by members. Masoud Rajavi forced its members to divorce and leave their children. Young women are also not allowed to marry or have children.

### The Torture of fugitives

MEK has been accused of organizing torture against members who try to escapees. The transfer from Iraq to Albania prepared the conditions for the flee of more members. Half of the members who decided to escape are women. They told the Guardian in 2018 that the MEK used torture, solitary confinement, confiscation of property, and keeping people away from their families to silence dissidents and prevent members from escaping. Although MEK denied such accusations, Human Rights Watch has reported threats of torture and execution, beating, and physical and verbal abuse based on the testimony of the fugitives. Two women who escaped from the MEK told the Guardian that their uteruses had been removed in Camp Ashraf on the pretext of a minor illness.

## Relationship with security institutions and the Albanian government

Albania was the only government that allowed MEK to settle in its country. The United States allocated 25 million dollars to the Albanian government and 20 million dollars to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

MEK pays politicians and members of parliament and political parties of Albania to defend this organization in their gatherings and events. Albanian President Ilir Meta also visited the camp and met Maryam Rajavi, the leader of the organization.

## Raiding of Albanian Police

On June 20, 2023, the Albania police launches an operation at MEK camp in Manez, Durres, on the orders of the Albanian judiciary due to the "violation of agreement and commitments".

## Events

Since 2013, the People's Mojahedin has held meetings and invited people like former US vice president Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

On 13 July 2019, the "120 Years of Struggle for Freedom Iran" conference was held at the MEK camp in Albania. Former US Senator Joe Lieberman gave speech at the conference.

## See Also

* 2023 Tirana camp raid
