NCRI – A French radio station interviewed a number of members of families of Camp Ashraf residents and asked them about the attack on the camp by Iraqi forces in late July that left 11 residents dead and hundreds wounded.
During the attack on the camp which houses some 3,400 members of the opposition people’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) for over two decades, 36 residents were taken hostage to be released after 72 days of hunger strike and international calls by human rights organizations.
Part I of the English translation of excerpts of the report by French radio ID 98.0 FM on October 22 in Paris follows:
Host: We speak with Afshin Alavi, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran; tell us about what happened in Camp Ashraf?
Alavi: Despite the fact that Camp Ashraf residents in Iraq are Protected Persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention and despite the fact that every individual resident had signed an agreement with American forces for their protection, they were attacked by Iraqi forces on July 28-29.
Due to the nationwide uprising by the Iranian people, the Iranian regime, which is isolated, tried to destroy Camp Ashraf. Therefore the regime put pressure on Iraq to attack the Camp.
Host: Now we are connected to Camp Ashraf. Please explain what is going on there? I remind you that Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, has celebrated the release of the 36 hostages taken by Iraqi forces from Camp Ashraf. They were held despite court rulings to release them. What did you do when your friends were released?
Arman from Camp Ashraf: During the 72 days that they were taken hostage, we were so anxious because we did not know what is going to happen to these 36 people. Hostage taking and attack to Camp Ashraf was very savage. Hostages were beaten and injured… They were tortured physically and psychologically. Despite three court rulings to release the hostages they were not freed. This was due to the Iranian regime’s pressures on Iraq. First, the 36 hostages went on hunger strike which lasted 65 days to protest against this injustice. After the Iraqi government did not respect the court ruling to release them, they went on a dry hunger strike for seven days before they were release. It was very difficult for them who had been on hunger strike for 65 days and them went on a dry hunger strike.
