TEHRAN – In an open letter to Italian authorities, families of Iranian terrorist victims have denounced the Italian parliament’s decision to honor members of the anti-Iranian terrorist group Mujahedin e-Hulk (MEK).
The family described the decision as a “shameful act” that caused deep pain to many Iranians, particularly the families of Iranian 23,000 terrorist victims.
The protest follows the Italian parliament’s decision to present the “Women of Courage Award 2025” to members of Italy’s so-called Iranian Youth Association, a group linked to the MEK terrorist organization. The award was handed over by the Vice President of Congress.
In their letter, the family expressed deep disappointment and anger at the decision. “The award was presented by the Vice President of the Italian Parliament to members of the front organization belonging to MEK, known as the Iranian Youth Association of Italy,” the letter states. “In her acceptance speech, the recipient openly acknowledged her and her family’s political commitment to MEK. She expressed her support for the terrorists and destructive activities of MEK’s so-called “rebellious unit.”
The family highlighted the long history of MEK violence and terrorism, both within Iran and beyond. “MEK is a terrorist group that has been around for over 50 years and has massacred countless Iranian citizens through a variety of brutal methods, including suicide bombing, explosive attacks, mortars, acceleration, torture, targeted and indiscriminate assassinations,” the letter continued. “23,000 Iranian victims lost their lives in the atrocities committed by this group.”
The letter also pointed to the MEK’s involvement in the murder of Americans and Iraqi citizens and the mercenary’s service to Saddam Hussein from the 1980s until his downfall. “The group’s history is soaked in the darkness that it has been listed as a terrorist organization by the US, Canada, the UK and even the European Union for many years,” the family wrote. “While the unfortunate political manipulation by these countries ultimately led to the removal from their list, the Iranian people and the families of the terror victims will never forget the bombings, assassinations and murders committed by this group.”
The family called on the Italian Parliament to reconsider its support for the MEK and to adopt more just and humanitarian policies. “Instead of defending their rights on behalf of their people, the Italian Parliament has unfortunately chosen an unjust and inhumane path by supporting and rewarding the infamous terrorist group and its members,” the letter concluded. “It is rare for the Italian people and voters who have selected these representatives tolerate such repulsive behavior.
Families of Iranian terrorist victims urged the Italian parliament and its representatives to cease support for the MEK and redirect efforts to serve their citizens.