Iran announced on Sunday that it executed two men accused of being part of the exiled opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK). The government said the men were behind several attacks on public and government properties across the country.
Government Confirms Executions
The Iranian judiciary’s official outlet, Mizan Online, confirmed that authorities carried out the executions of Behrouz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani in the morning. The courts found them guilty of launching attacks using improvised mortars. These attacks reportedly targeted homes, schools, and government buildings.
One of the Men Had a Long MEK History
Officials said Eslamlou had ties with MEK going back to the 1980s. He had already served a prison sentence in Iran. However, after his release, he allegedly reconnected with the MEK. Authorities claimed they arrested him while he was trying to cross into Turkey. At the time of arrest, he was allegedly carrying weapons, ammunition, mortar parts, and disguise tools.
MEK Leaders in Albania Allegedly Directed Attacks
According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, MEK leaders in Albania had ordered Eslamlou to sneak into Iran. His reported mission included creating secret armed groups, recruiting and training members, and leading attacks on both civilian and government sites.
Iran Accuses the Men of Sabotage and Spying
State media also alleged that the two men carried out acts of sabotage and collected intelligence. Moreover, they reportedly filmed some of their attacks. Authorities claimed that the men planned to share these videos with MEK-linked media outlets.
Courts Found Them Guilty on Multiple Charges
Iranian courts charged both men with several crimes. These included waging war against the state, sabotage, conspiring against national security, and belonging to a terrorist group. Prosecutors argued that their actions aimed to harm Iran’s stability and destroy public property.
MEK's History with Iran
The Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK) began as a Marxist-Islamist group that opposed Iran’s former monarchy. Initially, the group supported the 1979 Islamic Revolution. But it later broke away from Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s government. In the 1980s, the group carried out deadly bombings and assassinations in Iran. It also supported Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war. Many Iranians still resent the group for these actions.
Now based mostly in Albania, MEK claims it still runs a secret network inside Iran.
Last Known MEK-Related Execution Happened in 2009
Before Sunday, the last reported execution of MEK members in Iran occurred in 2009. In that case, the court found them guilty of planning a bombing in Tehran’s Enghelab Square.