This week marked the 51st anniversary of the execution of Mohammad Hanifnejad, Saeid Mohsen, and Ali Asghar Badizadegan, the founders of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). These courageous individuals, whose crime was to desire freedom in their country, were executed by the Shah regime on May 25, 1972, after months of resistance under brutal torture.
Hanifnejad, Mohsen, and Badizadegan founded the PMOI/MEK on September 6, 1965, amidst an era fraught with relentless repression against dissidents and political activists. Iran’s despotic ruler, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, ruthlessly compelled all opposition groups and movements to cower in silence and subservience. Under the iron grip of his savage secret police, the SAVAK , Pahlavi imposed a draconian regime, leaving no room for dissent.
The audacious choice made by the trio defied the prevailing odds and shattered societal norms, prevailing against the backdrop of an era steeped in despair due to the disappointments of previous freedom movements. Undeterred by the immense challenge, their objective remained resolute: to topple the oppressive Shah regime and forge a path toward freedom and democracy in Iran. With unwavering determination, the founders of the MEK embarked on an arduous and treacherous voyage guided by principles that broke new ground in Iranian history.
Over the years, the MEK founders diligently cultivated the organization’s ranks, recruiting influential intellectuals and elites from Iranian society. They imparted upon them the organization’s core principles, which would later shape Iran’s foremost opposition movement. However, the burgeoning freedom movement caught the attention of the SAVAK, which arrested the founders in 1971 and tortured them brutally.
During an interview with Iran National Television (INTV), Mohammad Hayati, a member of the MEK and former political prisoner during the oppressive rule of the Shah, recounted the harrowing tortures endured by the MEK founders at the hands of SAVAK. Hayati revealed the brutal torture inflicted upon them, providing a chilling testament to the atrocities committed by the regime’s enforcers.
“The operatives of the SAVAK and Police Intelligence Unit used the most ruthless torture against regime opponents,” Hayati said.
Hayati was arrested along with Mohammad Hanifnejad. “Hosseini, one of the savage torturers, was there with several other torturers,” Hayati said. “Hosseini started beating Mohammad with the end of his pistol, breaking his nose and splattering blood all over his face. This was even before we were taken to Evin. Inside Evin prison, I endured and witnessed even more torture.”
Hayati further bore witness to the unspeakable torment inflicted upon Ali Asghar Badizadegan, a fellow co-founder of the MEK. Badizadegan was apprehended a few months before Hanifnejad’s arrest. The merciless SAVAK subjected him to unimaginable brutality in a desperate attempt to extract information regarding the whereabouts of Hanifnejad and other prominent MEK leaders.
“They tortured him for one month, and he didn’t give them any information. They burned him so badly that his skin and flesh were disfigured. He had to undergo surgery three times before he could walk again. And he couldn’t even stand anymore,” Hayati said. “When they brought Badizadegan to our cell, he couldn’t stand. It was typical savagery of the Savak.”
However, the MEK founders refused to yield in their fight for the people’s freedom. Not having been able to break their will, the Shah regime eventually executed them on May 25, 1972, along with Mahmood Asgarizadeh and Abdol Rasool Mesginfam, two members of the MEK Central Committee. They paid the ultimate price, sacrificing their lives to safeguard the rights of their fellow citizens, ensuring that the flame of resistance burned brightly. Following their martyrdom, Massoud Rajavi assumed leadership of the MEK, carrying the torch of their unwavering dedication forward.
The sacrifices made by the MEK founders remain an enduring testament to their unwavering determination and unwavering loyalty, continuing to inspire Iranians worldwide even today. The activities of the Resistance Units serve as a powerful testament to their enduring influence, serving as a wellspring of inspiration for the Iranian people and the younger generation alike.
Particularly the MEK Resistance Units stand as a groundbreaking force, shining as a guiding light for uprisings and the pursuit of freedom. They serve as an extension of the dedicated MEK members and 120,000 martyrs who selflessly sacrificed their lives over the span of five decades in the name of liberty. These units embody the spirit of a rebellious and unwavering generation, playing a pivotal role in igniting and driving nationwide uprisings.
