The Iranian hacking group “Homeland Justice” resurfaced this week by spreading threatening messages against Albania on social media, linked to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict that erupted last Friday.
In a Telegram post, the group threatened that “Iranians have the right to attack the Manzë camp with rockets,” referring to the Albanian facility housing members of the exiled Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) organization.
The warning followed a cyberattack targeting the official website of the Tirana Municipality.
This is not the first time Homeland Justice has launched such threats or cyberattacks against Albanian government institutions. Previously, the group infiltrated other state systems and leaked personal data of Albanian citizens.
The MEK, an Iranian opposition group sheltered in Albania since 2013, has drawn criticism. Enri Hide, a geopolitics and security professor at the European University of Tirana, told Radio Free Europe that the group abused Albania’s hospitality, exposing the country to potential terrorist attacks from Iran.
“Their mission in Albania has ended, and they should leave,” Hide said.
Thousands of MEK members were relocated from Iraq to Albania under a 2013 deal mediated by the United States and the United Nations. They now reside in a 40-hectare camp called Ashraf-3 near Durrës.
On June 19 2023, Albanian police raided the Manzë camp, seizing dozens of computers. The operation led to dozens of injuries, including police officers, amid resistance from camp residents.
Albanian authorities initially released few details but said the raid was part of investigations into alleged crimes including war provocation, illegal data interception, and misuse of computer systems.
MEK spokesperson Shahriar Kia declined to comment on the raid, citing instructions from the Albanian government.
Hide noted that the group’s violations may also involve illegal activities abroad. “There is evidence that their actions violate their agreement with Albania and domestic laws,” he said.
Under the 2013 agreement, MEK members are prohibited from engaging in political activities and must comply with Albanian law.
The U.S. State Department expressed support for the raid, affirming it was conducted lawfully and respecting rights and freedoms. The department clarified that it does not consider MEK a legitimate democratic representative of the Iranian people, nor does it provide funding or training to the group.
Albanian police announced that six MEK leaders are under investigation for offenses including disobeying police orders and property destruction. Journalists covering the raid reported resistance from residents who described the police actions as an invasion of privacy.
Relations between Albania and Iran have been strained since Albania accepted the MEK refugees, leading to cyberattacks on Albanian government sites last year. Albania subsequently severed diplomatic ties with Tehran.
In a separate case, Albania sentenced an Iranian national to 15 years in prison in 2024 for terrorism-related charges linked to Iran’s intelligence services and plots targeting MEK members.
In 2018, Albania expelled several Iranian diplomats accused of activities threatening national security, including alleged ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.