Iran Focus
London, 4 Sep – Supporters of Iran’s main opposition group People’s Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI, or MEK) have carried out an extensive campaign across Iran to mark the MEK’s 50th anniversary.
In Tehran’s Freedom Square signs were put up commemorating 50 years of life of the MEK, according to a video clip posted on the website of the opposition coalition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
“Brave residents of Tehran, who are part of the PMOI’s social network inside Iran, also hoisted a large banner bearing the image of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance”, the NCRI said in its report.
The activities in support of the MEK were carried out despite a harsh crackdown on dissent by the authorities.
In another district of Tehran, a large banner with the emblem of the MEK (PMOI) was hoisted from a bridge.
The footage shows that in numerous towns, posters with writings in support of the MEK were attached to walls, public signs and telephone booths in public areas.
According to the NCRI, other cities and towns where similar activities have taken place thus far include: Kermanshah (western Iran), Hamedan (western Iran), Karaj (north-west of the capital), Qom (south of the capital), Qazvin (northern Iran), Yasuj (southern Iran), Rasht (northern Iran), Isfahan (central Iran), Damghan (northern Iran), and Arak (central Iran), as well as villages in Lorestan Province (western Iran).
The MEK turns 50 on Sunday.
The NCRI said that the scenes of the public displays of support for the Iranian opposition were filmed by the MEK’s social network inside Iran and broadcasted on Wednesday by the opposition satellite channel Simaye Azadi (INTV) that is widely received throughout the country despite jamming by the authorities and a ban on satellite dishes.
In January 2011, the authorities hanged Jafar Kazemi and Mohammad Ali Hajaghaei for promoting the MEK and taking photos and footage of anti-regime protests and sending it to the opposition television.