Dear Mr. Fischer,

I am writing of behalf of Iran-Interlink, regarding recent developments concerning the Mojahedin Khalq Organisation (aka MKO, MEK, NCRI, PMOI). 

After the downfall of its main benefactor, Saddam Hussein, the Mojahedin was disarmed in Iraq by US forces. The head of the cult, Mr. Massoud Rajavi, is believed to have been arrested by the Americans in Iraq and to remain in their custody. Rajavi’s wife, Maryam Rajavi, was arrested in Paris in June 2003 on charges relating to terrorism. 

Since losing the support of Saddam Hussein, the cult has tried to change its image and has transferred a large number of its forces and its operations to the EU in search of new paymasters and a new contract as a mercenary force. It has been unable to gain any sympathy in EU or US however, and remains designated as a terrorist force in the majority of the free world countries, for its collusion with Saddam Hussein and participation in his WMD programme, and the massacre of Kurds and Marsh Arabs during the uprisings of 1991, and etc. 

As the first point of entry into Europe after Jordan or Damascus, Germany is the primary ‘door’ through which Mojahedin militants arrive in Europe. As such, Germany is where the Mojahedin has now established its new HQ. (After the arrest of Maryam Rajavi, the French government closed down their previous HQ in Paris.) The Mojahedin has now established several ‘safe houses’ in Germany, particularly in Köln and the surrounding area. 

Today we received reports of harassment by the Mojahedin against a gentleman by the name of Mr. Ali Akbar Rastgou, using the bogus name of ‘Group of Democratic Iranians Resident in Germany’. Mr. Rastgou has been similarly threatened and harassed on several other occasions by the Mojahedin. There are many other similar incidences throughout the EU, as well as other parts of the world against critics of the Mojahedin which, unfortunately, have resulted in kidnapping, torture and violence (Please refer to the reports of Amnesty International and others)  . Mr Rastgou’s difficulty arises because he refuses to give in to threats and continues to make public his experience of the Mojahedin and to expose its true nature in speeches as well as in print. (Mr Rastgou’s new book in Farsi language about the history of the Mojahedin has just been published in Germany.) 

Iran-Interlink is a humanitarian organization, working to protect the rights of the former members of the Mojahedin as well as their families. We ask that the German government and authorities confront with utmost seriousness the arrival in Germany of Mojahedin fighters trained by Saddam Hussein’s Republican Guard and Fedayeen as suicide bombers and assassins. Please ensure the safety of Mr. Ali Akbar Rastgou and other freedom lovers who are resident in Germany and allow them to enjoy the opportunities of free speech and belief which are guaranteed under German law. 

Iran-Interlink has advised Mr. Rastgou to take the matter to his local police and ask for protection again. However, as you know, the best way to deal with terrorism is to take it back to the source and not wait for them to strike as, by then, it will probably be too late. 

We would be more than happy, if you require, to provide relevant documents concerning the activities of the Mojahedin in Europe, in particular their routes from and to Frankfurt Airport, and their HQ and ‘safe houses’ in the cities of Köln, Bonn, etc. 

On behalf of Iran Interlink
18 March 2004

CC:

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in London
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
European Parliament
Office of the United Nations Secretary General