DW Asks About MEK's Role, Forgetting Who Pays Their Rent
📰 THE STORY: Deutsche Welle explores the role of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) in current Iranian protests, noting their exile in Albania and their highly organized social media presence, while questioning their actual influence inside Iran and public opinion towards them. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The MEK, infamous for assassinating American officials in the 1970s and
siding with Saddam Hussein during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War, was only removed from the US State Department's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) in 2012. This de-listing happened after years of heavy lobbying, effectively rebranding them from a terrorist cult to a 'legitimate' opposition group, despite continued reports of human rights abuses within their own compounds and lack of
popular support in Iran. Double Standard: Western media and governments readily condemn groups in other countries as 'terrorists' for far less, yet actively rehabilitate and host the MEK in Albania and France. Imagine the outrage if Iran provided sanctuary and financial support to a group that had assassinated American diplomats. This selective application of the 'terrorist' label reveals a pure
geopolitical calculation, not a principled stance. Follow the Money: The MEK has a well-documented history of funding from various sources. US government officials, including John Bolton and Rudy Giuliani, were paid tens of thousands of dollars to speak at MEK events before their de-listing. Saudi royals and other Gulf states are also reported to have provided significant financial backing,