TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — On Sunday, Iran announced the execution of two members of the exiled opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK). Behrouz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani were convicted of orchestrating attacks on public and civilian infrastructure. The Iranian judiciary's official news outlet, Mizan Online, reported that the men were hanged on Sunday morning following their trials, which found them guilty of utilizing improvised mortar launchers to target residential areas, educational institutions, and government buildings.
Eslamlou had a significant history with the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, dating back to the 1980s. He was previously imprisoned but rejoined the group after his release. Mizan Online reported that he was apprehended while attempting to cross the border into Turkey. During his arrest, authorities located firearms, ammunition, materials for constructing mortars, and tools intended to alter his appearance. This suggests a planned evasion and the intent to engage in further militant activities.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency added that Eslamlou had received orders from MEK leaders based in Albania to return to Iran and establish underground terrorism cells. His assigned mission reportedly involved training members and orchestrating attacks on both government and civilian targets, indicating a significant threat to national security. Furthermore, both Eslamlou and Hasani were implicated in acts of vandalism against public property, gathering intelligence, filming their actions, and distributing the footage through the group’s affiliated media networks.
Iranian courts charged the two men with several offenses, including waging war against the state, conspiracy, sabotage, and being members of a terrorist organization. Prosecutors accused them of conspiring to destabilize national security and damaging public property. Such harsh penalties reflect Tehran's approach to militant opposition and its commitment to combat what it considers terrorist activities within its borders.
The history of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq is contentious. Initially, it was a Marxist-Islamist group that opposed Iran's monarchy and supported the 1979 Islamic Revolution. However, it later distanced itself from Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's regime, leading to a series of violent confrontations during the 1980s, including bombings and assassinations. The MEK's past support for Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war continues to evoke strong resentment among Iranian officials and citizens, further complicating its standing as a political entity.
The group is largely based in Albania today but claims to operate a clandestine network within Iran. Iranian state media have reported that this network is intent on destabilizing the current regime. The recent executions represent the Iranian government's stance on dealing harshly with members of MEK and reflects ongoing tensions surrounding the group's activities in both domestic and international contexts.
The last known executions of Mujahedeen-e-Khalq members occurred in 2009, following their conviction related to an attempted bombing in Tehran's central Enghelab Square. This history of violence showcases the enduring conflict between the Iranian state and the MEK, characterized by cycles of repression and resistance.
