The savage attack by Albanian security forces against Ashraf 3 has raised concerns among politicians and lawmakers in Albania and across the world, who described it as a submission to the Iranian regime and called for Albanian authorities to be held accountable.
The attack, which took place on the morning of June 20, was carried out by around 1,000 police forces. The police were armed with firearms and anti-riot gear while attacking the residents.
Around 1,000 security forces raided #Ashraf3 on June 20, 2023 at the behest of #Iran's regime. One person was killed, more than 100 injured.#AshrafAttackpic.twitter.com/uNlpVjNikD
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 21, 2023
Videos from Ashraf 3 show security forces using pepper spray and beating the residents. The police broke doors, closets, and equipment, while using tear gas and pepper spray to attack the residents. They also damaged and confiscated many computers. MEK member Ali Mostashari was killed during the attack and more than 100 were injured. Some are in critical conditions.
Scenes from the savage attack against #Ashraf3 by Albanian security forces on June 20.#AshrafAttackpic.twitter.com/RVwI1OGjUf
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 21, 2023
Former Albanian Prime Minister and chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) Sali Berisha, said the action of the police was completely unjustifiable, which shames Albania, which flagrantly violates the international conventions on refugees and the laws of the country.
“I call on the UN, the US Congress, I call on the North Atlantic Alliance, the institutions that deal with refugees, to undertake an urgent international investigation into this shameful, completely avoidable tragic event,” Berisha said in a statement.
Chairman of the Republican Party of Albania and former Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu said MEK members are “housed in Albanian territory according to the laws and should be treated as guests in our home by enforcing our laws, but in no way can they be violated in any form. Neither our law nor our customs as Albanians accept this.”
Mediu said Albanian authorities should apologize to the residents of Camp Ashraf and assure them that this situation will not be repeated.
Former Albanian President Ilir Meta condemned the attack on Ashraf 3 and said, “Open violence resulting in the loss of one person’s life and the injury of dozens of others is completely unacceptable and evidence of the unproportional use of force against a community welcomed in Albania.”
The attack on Ashraf 3 also caused outrage among European and American politicians. Reflecting on the attack on Ashraf 3, which coincided with the decision by French authorities to cancel a July 1 rally organized by the Iranian Resistance, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz tweeted, “Deeply concerned that across Europe—and especially right now, France and Albania—our allies are appeasing the Iranian regime and cracking down on anti-regime dissidents.”
Senator Cruz further warned that “The crackdowns and appeasement will embolden and enable the Iranian regime to commit more global terrorism. They pose a direct threat to the safety and security of Americans.”
Deeply concerned that across Europe—and especially right now, France and Albania—our allies are appeasing the Iranian regime and cracking down on anti-regime dissidents.
The Biden admin is reportedly supporting these pro-regime policies, while also directly boosting the regime…
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) June 20, 2023
U.S. Congressman Randy Weber also condemned the attack on Ashraf 3, which he described as an “unwarranted assault by Albanian police on Ashraf-3, home to 3,000 Iranian refugees.”
“Freedom-loving Iranians shouldn’t have to fear for their lives. The Albanian government must be held accountable for actions contradicting their international commitments,” Weber wrote.
I strongly condemn the unwarranted assault by Albanian police on Ashraf-3, home to 3,000 Iranian refugees. Freedom-loving Iranians shouldn’t have to fear for their lives. The Albanian government must be held accountable for actions contradicting their international commitments.
— Randy Weber (@TXRandy14) June 20, 2023
Belgian Senator Els Ampe condemned the attack on Ashraf 3 and the cancellation of the opposition rally in France.
“This is no coincidence but submission to the Iranian Mullahs. Unacceptable,” she said.
Paris bans an Iranian opposition meeting on the same day the Albanian police raid the Iranian opposition camp Ashraf 3.
This is no coincidence but submission to the Iranian Mullahs.
Unacceptable.https://t.co/KRz6rO5sNT— Els Ampe (@ElsAmpe) June 20, 2023
Meanwhile, freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the Iranian Resistance held rallies in front of Albanian embassies and consulates in several cities across the world, condemning the attack on Ashraf 3 and the appeasement policy toward Iran’s regime.
Rallies were held in Washington, D.C., London, Stockholm, Paris, Toronto, Oslo, Copenhagen, The Hague, Bern, Vienna, Essen, and Rome, among other cities.
