Tehran, April 29, 2025 — The Iranian regime held the 32nd session of its widely criticized trial against the Iranian Resistance in absentia

On April 29, 2025, the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran held the 32nd in absentia session of the trial against 104 members of the National Council of Resistance of Iran and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) in Tehran.

Now in its second consecutive year, this trial has increasingly turned into a tool for political and propaganda attacks against one of the regime’s most prominent opposition movements, rather than a fair and legal process. This movement, particularly among Iran’s young and discontented population, has gained widespread support.

Judge Amir-Reza Dehghani has targeted not only individual members but also the PMOI as a legal entity, attempting to undermine the group’s legitimacy entirely by relying on domestic laws and selective interpretations of international legal concepts. Masoud Maddah, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, declared that the group’s “crimes” would continue until the organization is officially dissolved. This language reflects a security-oriented rather than a judicial approach dominating the court proceedings.

In a troubling development, the court openly accused Western countries — including France — of “collusion” with the defendants. Judge Dehghani claimed that support for PMOI members violates international conventions and even described it as “criminal responsibility before the people of Iran.” These accusations, mostly lacking legal foundation, appear aimed at diplomatic pressure on Western governments and damaging the PMOI’s political standing.

The court, based on testimonies from former PMOI members — many of whom now cooperate with the regime sought to portray the organization’s structure as an “active and criminal network.” However, the nature, evidence, and timing of these claims remain unclear.

Meanwhile, the PMOI has long been removed from the list of terrorist organizations in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, and has gained support from a wide range of parliamentarians across various countries. The group’s leaders have repeatedly called for independent and international investigations into the allegations.

Holding such trials at a time when the country is grappling with economic crisis, widespread protests, and growing public distrust, increasingly reveals the regime’s fear of the rising social and political influence of the PMOI particularly among the youth. These kinds of show trials not only lack legitimacy but also serve to expose the regime’s repressive nature and strengthen solidarity among dissidents both inside and outside the country.

MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI  (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu