This short film by Michael Ware of National Geographic was taken at the headquarters of the Mojahedin Khalq Organisation (MEK) in Auvers-sur-Oise, France. In the film we hear four leading members of the Mojahedin Khalq discuss their aims with Ware and how they believe these can be achieved. They state both the ‘public’ stance of the MEK – they believe in peaceful change. At the same time they state the ‘internal’ ideological belief of the MEK – that regime change demands ‘resistance’ (MEK code for armed struggle).
Also at the meeting, although not taking an active part, is a man called Mohamad Sharifi. In 1986, Sharifi was Secretary-Treasurer of a charity called the Iran Relief Fund, Inc. After an investigation into the charity, Sharifi and others were summoned to court on charges of funding terrorism. According to the state prosecution service, the charity claimed the money it raised would “alleviate human suffering” among Iranian refugees. In reality all the money went to fund the MEK’s military bases in Iraq. Prosecutors described the Iran Relief Fund as a “subsidiary of a violent pro-terrorist group” the MEK.
At the time Sharifi denied any involvement with the MEK, but left America before the case was brought to court and went to Iraq. He remains on the US’s wanted list. It may be of interest to American law enforcement agencies that Sharifi is now resident in France and living in the MEK headquarters.
Charities such as this are part of an international network of money laundering entities which have been used for decades by the MEK to pass off money paid by sponsors. Money paid into the charities and associations is used to fund the speakers fees and trips of supporters such as Rudi Giuliani, John Bolton, Newt Gingrich and many others.
Related Links:
http://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/05/nyregion/state-curbing-iranian-charity.html
https://businessprofiles.com/details/iran-relief-fund-inc/MA-133140201/mr-mohamad-sharifi
https://businessprofiles.com/details/iran-relief-fund-inc/MA-133140201
https://www.fundcompanies.org/iran-relief-fund-inc
https://www.bizapedia.com/people/new-jersey/bergenfield/mohamad-sharifi.html
