By: Ilda Hoxha
Several media outlets reported in July that 232 computer devices seized during a search at the ‘Ashraf 3’ camp in Manza were sent to Iran. This unverified news was also echoed by former Prime Minister Sali Berisha. The State Police officially clarified that no devices seized from the camp, where MEK members are accommodated, were sent outside the territory of the Republic of Albania. Forensic expert Ervin Karamuço explains also from a legal perspective why Albania could not send the computers to Iran, a country with which the Albanian government had severed diplomatic relations last autumn.
The developments following the intervention of the State Police at ‘Ashraf 3’ camp in Manza took the form of speculative reports in some cases by the media, and politics couldn’t escape such speculation either. In early July, Democratic Party MP Sali Berisha stated that there was information that the seized computers at the MEK camp had been sent to Iran. By such information, the historical leader of the Democratic Party referred to a statement by an Iranian government spokesperson.
“232 computers from the centre in Manza have ended up in Tehran, according to a statement by the government spokesperson. If this is true, it constitutes an act of betrayal of the highest degree that can be perpetrated against freedom, possibly ever in Albania, towards a group of human resistants of one of the bloodiest regimes,” said Berisha among other things on July 6th.”
These claims by the former Prime Minister were published in several online media outlets in the country, where they were presented as a verified fact that the computers had been sent to Iran.
“Berisha: Betrayal! Rama handed over the computers of ‘MEK’ to Iran” – wrote the portal ‘5 Pyetjet’ (5 Questions).
Source: 5 Pyetjet.al
The same news has been published by other portals, where the narrative was the same: “that the seized computers had ended up in Iran.” In this case, the media contented themselves with the “sensational” news, even abusing the headlines.
“An act of betrayal, 232 computers from the MEK center have ended up in Tehran”-Berisha: The UN should conduct a prompt investigation”- writes “Gazeta Panorama Online”.
Source: Panorama
Not only the media but also the official website of the Democratic Party has disseminated this information, even though former Prime Minister Berisha declared that it is merely information circulating from Iranian state authorities.
“Berisha: Rama handed over the computers of the Mujahideen to Iran, this is the highest act of betrayal,” writes PDSH.al.
Source: PDSH.al
In addition to online media, the unconfirmed news about the sending of electronic devices to Iran also made its way into television chronicles.
“Iran receives confiscated electronic devices from the MEK camp in Manza, Albania” – reported Top News.
Source: “Top News”
How was the information about the MEK computers transformed
The claim that the computers seized by the Albanian police were sent to Iran was initially raised by Sepehr Khalaji, the head of the Iranian government’s Public Relations Council, through a post on Twitter on July 3rd, written in Persian.
The post shared by the Iranian government
According to the translation from Persian through Google Translate, it is quoted, among other things, that a portion of the computer materials confiscated in ‘Ashraf 3’ in Manza have reached Iran.
Subsequently, this information circulated widely on Twitter by supporters of the Iranian government.
Posts shared on social networks
Furthermore, the news was also published in Iranian media, giving voice only to their side of interest. In some distributed English articles, it is stated: “Authorities confiscated 150 computer devices from the Western-backed group, which Iran recognizes as a terrorist organization.” However, in all publications, only one party’s version was provided.
The reaction of the State Police
After these pieces of information were disseminated in the Albanian media, the State Police officially reacted, dismissing the accusations of sending the devices to Iran.
“None of the seized computer devices, and no material extracted from these devices, has been sent outside the territory of the Republic of Albania. All the information circulating on social networks and media regarding the above is not only false but also, in specific cases, has other purposes that go beyond informing the public,” clarified the State Police on July 6th
Regarding this issue, Faktoje reached out to SPAK (Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime) with a request for information, where, among other things, we asked if any letter rogatory was received from Iranian authorities regarding the investigations into the activities of MEK members living in the “Ashraf 3” camp.
In relation to the computers, SPAK clarifies: “The computer equipment seized during the control is being examined by the Scientific Police Institute of the State Police”.
Request for information sent to SPAK
What are the chances of the computers being sent to Iran?
Ervin Karamuço, a forensic expert, told Faktoje that the Albanian authorities are unable to send physical evidence to a country with which they have severed all diplomatic relations.
“In my opinion, the Police, including SPAK, cannot send physical evidence, even for expertise, to a country with which we have no diplomatic relations or agreement for forensic assistance (the application of scientific methods/techniques for investigating criminal acts). Procedurally, we have had cases where, for phones, computers, and other surveillance devices, we sought the assistance of certified European and Israeli laboratories for qualified expertise.
These procedures were carried out under the direction of the prosecutor and with the special decision of the court. Under no other circumstances is such an action possible,” argues Karamuço.
But what is Karamuço’s opinion regarding how the media reported on this matter?
“Mendoj se ky lajm është përhapur si dezinformacion për të dëmtuar imazhin e Shqipërisë si vend që bashkëpunon me Iranin. Ky lajm është përhapur nga MEK dhe ende sot nuk janë sjellë fakte dhe në mungesë të tyre nuk i është kërkuar ende falje qeverisë shqiptare”.
I believe this news has been spread as disinformation to damage Albania’s image as a country that cooperates with Iran. This news has been spread by MEK, and to this day, no evidence has been presented, and in its absence, an apology is not yet sought to the Albanian government
On June 20th, the General Director of the Police, Muhamet Rrumbullaku, announced that during the operation at the MEK camp, the police had seized 96 computer units, not 232, another inaccurate element in Deputy Sali Berisha’s statement, similar to the information spread by various media, including those pro-Iranian government
Request for information sent to SPAK
What are the chances of the computers being sent to Iran?
Ervin Karamuço, a forensic expert, told Faktoje that the Albanian authorities are unable to send physical evidence to a country with which they have severed all diplomatic relations.
“In my opinion, the Police, including SPAK, cannot send physical evidence, even for expertise, to a country with which we have no diplomatic relations or agreement for forensic assistance (the application of scientific methods/techniques for investigating criminal acts). Procedurally, we have had cases where, for phones, computers, and other surveillance devices, we sought the assistance of certified European and Israeli laboratories for qualified expertise.
These procedures were carried out under the direction of the prosecutor and with the special decision of the court. Under no other circumstances is such an action possible,” argues Karamuço.
But what is Karamuço’s opinion regarding how the media reported on this matter?
“Mendoj se ky lajm është përhapur si dezinformacion për të dëmtuar imazhin e Shqipërisë si vend që bashkëpunon me Iranin. Ky lajm është përhapur nga MEK dhe ende sot nuk janë sjellë fakte dhe në mungesë të tyre nuk i është kërkuar ende falje qeverisë shqiptare”.
I believe this news has been spread as disinformation to damage Albania’s image as a country that cooperates with Iran. This news has been spread by MEK, and to this day, no evidence has been presented, and in its absence, an apology is not yet sought to the Albanian government
On June 20th, the General Director of the Police, Muhamet Rrumbullaku, announced that during the operation at the MEK camp, the police had seized 96 computer units, not 232, another inaccurate element in Deputy Sali Berisha’s statement, similar to the information spread by various media, including those pro-Iranian government.
Request for information sent to SPAK
What are the chances of the computers being sent to Iran?
Ervin Karamuço, a forensic expert, told Faktoje that the Albanian authorities are unable to send physical evidence to a country with which they have severed all diplomatic relations.
“In my opinion, the Police, including SPAK, cannot send physical evidence, even for expertise, to a country with which we have no diplomatic relations or agreement for forensic assistance (the application of scientific methods/techniques for investigating criminal acts). Procedurally, we have had cases where, for phones, computers, and other surveillance devices, we sought the assistance of certified European and Israeli laboratories for qualified expertise.
These procedures were carried out under the direction of the prosecutor and with the special decision of the court. Under no other circumstances is such an action possible,” argues Karamuço.
But what is Karamuço’s opinion regarding how the media reported on this matter?
“Mendoj se ky lajm është përhapur si dezinformacion për të dëmtuar imazhin e Shqipërisë si vend që bashkëpunon me Iranin. Ky lajm është përhapur nga MEK dhe ende sot nuk janë sjellë fakte dhe në mungesë të tyre nuk i është kërkuar ende falje qeverisë shqiptare”.
I believe this news has been spread as disinformation to damage Albania’s image as a country that cooperates with Iran. This news has been spread by MEK, and to this day, no evidence has been presented, and in its absence, an apology is not yet sought to the Albanian government
On June 20th, the General Director of the Police, Muhamet Rrumbullaku, announced that during the operation at the MEK camp, the police had seized 96 computer units, not 232, another inaccurate element in Deputy Sali Berisha’s statement, similar to the information spread by various media, including those pro-Iranian government.
