The Second Day of the Conference “Terrorism: State and Non-State Sponsored Versions”

A two-day webinar was held on March 5th-6th, 2023 entitled "Terrorism: State and Non-State Sponsored Versions" by TerrorSpring Foundation. Here is a summary of the second day, March 6th.

The program opens with Reza Sadeqi, former member of MEK (Mojahedin-e-Khalq) talking about MEK and the US support for terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, giving the key message, "the enemy of my enemy is not my friend, but it is our worst Nightmare".

A short documentary was then shown on the dark history of MEK terrorist operations highlighting the fact that there is only one kind of terrorism, "state terrorism".

The next lecturer was university professor and researcher, Professor Lorenzo Pacini, who gave a thought-provoking lecture on the influence of MEK in Europe, particularly in Italy. He claimed that support for MEK has been provided by European governments, including the government of Giorgia Meloni, and suggested that Europe is controlled by the United States.

During his presentation, Pacini emphasized the lack of autonomy in Italy's strategy and defense which is dependent on foreign authorities. He expressed concerns about the country's dependence on the US, which he believes hinders the development of an independent stance on international terrorism.

Furthermore, Pacini urged for pressure to be placed on Italian and European parliaments to reject propaganda influenced by the Anglosphere. He warned that complicity with terrorism could have serious consequences.

In a practical call to action, Pacini encouraged Italians to unite in the fight against ISIS and support the axis of resistance, despite any mutual differences, in order to combat Western hegemony. His lecture left attendees with a strong message about the importance of challenging the status quo and taking responsibility for one's actions in the face of global threats.

The next lecturer was Mr. Gjergji Thanasi, historian and political analyst from Albania. He delivered a lecture shedding light on the finances of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) group. Thansi discussed the high costs associated with Camp Ashraf 3, where MEK members are currently settled in Tirana, Albania.

According to Thansi, the Albanian president allowed MEK to enter the country and set up camp as a favor to the US. The expenses of maintaining Camp Ashraf 3, including housing, food, separate water system, private security guards, meeting halls, and VIP sections, etc. are estimated to be around 100 million euros. Thansi pointed out that such a significant amount of money cannot solely come from Iranian's contributions.

Thansi also revealed that MEK uses the internet to wage war against Iran, and it operates under the standard of "all animals are equal but some are more equal" from George Orwell's Animal Farm. Despite numerous pieces of evidence, including videos, images, and witness testimonies of crimes such as money laundering, medicine smuggling, burglary, and violence, MEK members have never faced punishment. One example highlighted by Thansi was a case where MEK members were charged with 1-million-euro money laundering but were not convicted on the excuse that they were freedom fighters.

In his closing remarks, Thansi urged journalists worldwide to investigate and expose the sources of financing for MEK, which he described as a dangerous cult known as "the Rajavi cult." He emphasized the importance of shedding light on the activities of this group, which has a history of evading accountability for its actions.

the next speaker was Yaqub Meraji, a defector of MEK from France. He spoke out against the organization's violent tactics and Marxist-Islamic ideology. Addressing the audience in Farsi, Meraji highlighted the group's logo as evidence of their belief in armed struggle, and their attempts to seize power in the Iranian government.

Meraji expressed his belief that the MEK's days in Albania are numbered, referencing their past actions during the Iran-Iraq war where they sabotaged Iranian military equipment and collaborated with Ba'athist troops. He also mentioned the group's leader, Masood Rajavi's change in allegiance after Saddam Hussein's downfall to US as their new boss.

Despite their continued efforts to lobby for sanctions against Iran, some former MEK members are facing legal repercussions, with several individuals currently undergoing trial in Iran and others listed on Interpol's blacklist. Meraji's speech shed light on the controversial history and current challenges faced by the MEK.

The next speaker was Giulio Chinappi, journalist, political analyst from Italy. He drew attention to what he believes is a flawed and politically-charged definition of terrorism in the West. Chinappi, who is also the founder of the World Politics Blog website, argues that the subjective nature of the definition offered by the West allows for selective targeting of certain countries while excluding others, such Israel and the US.

According to Chinappi, countries like Cuba, Iran, Syria, and North Korea have been labeled as "terrorist" by the West based on geopolitical interests rather than concrete evidence. Meanwhile, he points out that the U.S. itself sponsors terrorism around the world, including supporting organizations like ISIS in Syria.

Chinappi argues that the four countries designated as terrorists by the U.S. are actually victims of American military intervention, drone strikes, and other acts of violence that have led to destabilization and human suffering in various regions. He believes that it is important to reexamine the definition of terrorism in order to address the root causes of violence and conflict around the world.

Mrs. Bobana Andjekovic, Journalist, commentator and expert on geopolitical issues, from Serbia spoke out against the false narratives and propaganda being spread by the Western media.

Andjekovic believes that the Western media intentionally engineers language to deceive people and push their own agendas. She argues that language is being used as a tool by the media, rather than a natural form of communication.

She points to the recent assassination of General Qasim Soleimani, which took place in the gray zone of Baghdad airport, as a clear example of Western criminal behavior. Despite being there officially, Soleimani was killed, going against international law.

Andjekovic also blames the rise of terrorism in the Middle East on the arrival of the Zionist Regime, which she believes is a continuation of the British Mandate for Palestine. She mentioned other examples of US-sponsored terrorism in Serbia and Ukraine, and MEK stationed in Albania.

Overall, Andjekovic sees Western colonial powers as the root cause of terrorism around the world and urges resistance against what she calls a criminal gang intent on bringing the world down.

The next lecturer was Dr Robert Fantina, university professor, writer and journalist, from Canada expressed his views on state terrorism and the role of governments in supporting it. According to Dr. Fantina, the actions of Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians is classified as state terrorism, escalating to the level of genocide.

Dr. Fantina also pointed out the hypocrisy of governments such as the United States, which has been known to support terrorist groups like ISIS in Syria and the MEK, despite the latter being condemned by the US in the past. France, too, has been complicit in supporting the MEK, a group responsible for the deaths of at least 17,000 people in Iran.

Interestingly, Dr. Fantina highlighted the fact that Iran, a country that has not invaded another nation in over two centuries, is often portrayed as a terrorist state by Western powers. He criticized the double standards employed by countries like the George Floyd case going unseen while the same thing in Iran is a sign of people's desire for regime change in Iran.

Ultimately, Dr. Fantina concluded that state terrorism is the only form of terrorism that truly exists, pointing to the ugly history of the US government's involvement in such activities.

Professor Bashir Bellah, Historian, university professor and writer from Algeria shed light on the state terrorism carried out by the Israeli government against the Palestinians and the assassinations of Iranian scientists. In his analysis, Bellah highlights the long history of Israeli state terrorism, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Bellah refers to the definition of state terrorism as organized violence used by governments against dissidents or foreign targets. He points out that Israel has a dark history of assassinations, with the Mossad and Shin Bet targeting members of Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as Iranian nuclear scientists.

He draws attention to the arbitrary detention of Palestinians, with over 800,000 arrests since 1967. He discusses the unfair trials faced by Palestinians, emphasizing the discrimination in sentencing between Palestinians and Jews for the same crimes.

Regarding torture, Bellah highlights the atrocities committed by Israel, including physical and psychological abuse, sexual harassment, and deprivation of basic needs. He also addresses the assassination of Palestinian leaders by the Israeli regime, citing numerous high-profile killings over the years.

Bellah also touches upon the assassination of Iranian scientists, attributing these acts to the Israeli government. He mentions the killings of prominent figures such as Massoud Ali-Mohammadi, Majid Shahriari, and Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, noting the role of the MEK in these operations.

Despite these malicious acts, Bellah believes that Israel's efforts, along with unjust Western sanctions, have failed to weaken Iran or deter its nuclear ambitions. The professor concludes by highlighting the resilience of the Iranian people and their pursuit of progress and prosperity on the world stage.

The last speaker was Dr. Maria Morigi, archaeologist, writer, scholar of Islam and fundamentalist movements. She highlighted the role of state-supported terrorism in escalating conflicts in the border area between Iran and Pakistan, specifically focusing on Iranian airstrikes and border incursions targeting the Jaish al-Adl group. The Iranian government accuses the United States and Israel of supporting these actions to destabilize Iran-Pakistan relations and regional security. The Balochistan region, home to separatist movements like the Baloch Liberation Army, has been plagued by violence since its incorporation into Pakistan in 1948.

She noted that the entry of Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran into the BRICS alliance demonstrates the region's geopolitical significance. She also noted that Western media has criticized anti-Shiite groups supported by Western powers for contributing to violence in the region. Recent terrorist attacks in Kerman and Rask underscore the impact of state-sponsored terrorism on regional stability, while the complex web of ethnic, religious, and geopolitical rivalries in border areas continues to present challenges for Iran, Pakistan, and their allies in the BRICS alliance.