Albanian officials condemn Ali Khamenei remarks over Albania

On Wednesday 8 January 2019, after the missile attack of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) against the US. Forces in Iraq, Ali Khamenei, the Iranian Regime’s Supreme Leader, demoralized after the elimination of Qassem Soleimani, desperately lashed out the Albania and Iran protests.

Referring to the Mujahedin-e Khalq (PMOI/MEK Iran) and recent people’s uprising in Iran which quickly expanded into 191 cities across the country, he said:

“Several days before the uprising, in a small and sinister country in Europe, an American and a number of Iranians drew up plans, which we saw in the gasoline incident. As soon as (protesting) people came to the scene, the enemy’s operatives began. Demolishing, torching, murdering, destroying, and fomenting war. This was a renewal of the work they had carried out before. And they continue to do these and they will do whatever they can.”

On January 8, 2020, Ilir Meta, the President of the Republic of Albania, responded to Khamenei’s remarks and said:

“Albania is not an evil country, but a democratic one, which has suffered from an evil dictatorship, and as such cherishes human rights as a sacred value. The missiles fired by the Iranian regime against two U.S. military bases is a provocative act with dangerous consequences for the region and its stability. Albania continues to decisively stand by its commitment alongside the United States and NATO countries in the fight against international terrorism and any action that would endanger global stability and peace.”

In another remark on January 8, 2020, addressing the presence of the MEK Iran in Albania, the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said:

“We have done something which is the source of honor for, and consistent with the traditions of, Albania, based on an unambiguous agreement with the United States to welcome and open [our] doors to a group of people whose lives were in danger. We have lived under dictatorship and know full well how dictatorships behave and how they control everything to liquidate any opponents across the globe.”

In another development, Pandeli Majko, the former Prime Minister and  the current Minister of the diaspora in the Albanian Cabinet said:

 “The Mujahedin (MEK Iran) has not created any problems in society. On the contrary, they are very calm and mature people. We have carried out a responsibility based on the tradition of hospitality,” He added, “In Europe, this Special Forces General who was killed (Soleimani) puts on diplomatic attire and comes to Europe to carry out terrorist operations and then they cry out for respect for international laws and the UN Charter.”

On Friday, September 13, 2019, Mr. Ilir Meta visited Ashraf 3, home to MEK members in Albania.

In a meeting with MEK members, President Meta said:

“This was also an indication of a widespread movement inside Iran and showed how tyrannical the regime is. This is really bad not only for the people of Iran but also for regional and global peace and stability…I was very impressed with the Ten-point Plan of Mrs. Rajavi because it is based on fundamental freedoms and will guarantee prosperity and democracy for the Iranian people. All of us here in Albania are united in our support for your efforts and determination.”