The Iranian opposition group Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) was first sheltered in Albania in 2012 after being expelled from Iraq. Founded in the early 1960s as a protest movement against the Shah of Iran’s regime, MEK has operated in exile since then. Following their arrival in Albania, several high-ranking U.S. officials visited the country, thanking the Albanian government for hosting the group and for its anti-Iran stance.
How MEK Was Sheltered in Albania
Members of the MEK, considered a terrorist organization by most Western countries until recently—including the United Kingdom and European Union until 2008 and 2009, and the United States until 2012—were relocated to Albania in 2012. The then-government, led by Sali Berisha, accepted a U.S. request to host about 210 MEK members who were being moved from their base in Iraq following the U.S. military withdrawal.
In 2014, the government under Prime Minister Edi Rama agreed to shelter hundreds more MEK members, who have continued arriving in groups since then.
By February 2016, an additional 22 MEK members arrived from Iraq, bringing the total sheltered in Albania to around 750. Overall, approximately 3,000 MEK members have been sheltered in Albania to date.
MEK initially supported the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which overthrew the Shah’s regime. After the revolution, Iran’s theocratic Islamic system under Ayatollah Khomeini faced stiff opposition from MEK, which rejected the autocratic clerical rule. This led to persecution of MEK members, forcing its leaders and thousands of members into exile.
Connection Between Homeland Justice, MEK, and Cyberattacks
In 2022, Albania faced a crippling cyberattack attributed to the Iran-backed group Homeland Justice. The attack targeted critical government systems, including e-Albania, the digital platform holding citizens’ records such as medical documents, civil data, and other sensitive information.
The cyberattack extended to the TIMS system and Albania’s Civil Registry (AKSH) data. Based on information from international organizations and the U.S. State Department, the attack was traced back to Iran.
Following the attack, the Albanian government decided to expel the entire Iranian embassy staff from the country.