Discovery of a network affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards that was operating against opponents of the Islamic Republic in Albania
Albanian police say they have uncovered an Iranian militant network that was apparently planning attacks against an Iranian group seeking to overthrow the government in Tehran.
Albanian Police Chief Ardi Veliu said on Wednesday, November 1, that the foreign branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was running an "active terrorist cell" that was targeting members of the People's Mujahedin (PKK) group.
He did not say anything about the alleged attack plot or making any arrests.
According to a statement from Albanian police, the group was run by two senior Iranian security officials from Tehran. The network apparently had links to organized crime groups in Turkey and used former members of the People's Mojahedin to gather intelligence in Albania.
It is said that this network was run by a Quds Force intelligence officer known as "Payman," and that he used a person named "Alireza Naghashzadeh," an IRGC intelligence officer and former member of the People's Mojahedin (MEK) who had an Austrian passport, to collect information.
Albanian police also released a photo of "Abdul Khaliq Malekzadeh" alias "Farhad" who lived in Turkey and is an IRGC intelligence officer. The person named is "Abdul Salam Turgut" who, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency, is a well-known figure in organized crime in Turkey.
Valio said a plot by other Iranian government agents to attack the MEK in Albania in March was thwarted.
Last year, Albania expelled the Islamic Republic's ambassador and another Iranian diplomat for illegal activities that threatened Albania's security.
Source: Voice of America
