2003 French anti-terror raid, arrest and probe that later closed without trial
BBC, Guardian, NYT and RFE/RL coverage of the June 2003 French police raid on the NCRI/MEK base in Auvers-sur-Oise, where Maryam Rajavi was detained and placed under formal investigation. Supporters set themselves on fire in protest. Judges dropped terrorism charges in 2011 and the case was closed in 2014. Reported language only.
Editorial timeline of public reporting, not a legal finding.
- French police raid MEK sites and detain Maryam Rajavi - BBC reported that about 1,300 French police, on the orders of anti-terrorism judge Jean-Louis Bruguiere, raided People's Mujahedin sites around Paris and detained more than 150 people. AFP said Maryam Rajavi was among those arrested, and cash and computers were reported seized. Paris police target Iranian groups
- Supporters set themselves on fire in protest at the arrests - BBC reported that three Iranians set themselves on fire in Paris in protest at the round-up, and police said one woman died of her burns. Police in Bern stopped another man from setting himself alight outside the French embassy. Protesters accused French authorities of a deal with Tehran. Iranian fire protests at Paris arrests
- Rajavi among 17 placed under formal investigation - The Guardian reported that French magistrates placed 17 People's Mujahedin members under formal investigation for aiding terrorism, with Maryam Rajavi among those still in custody. BBC reported that Rajavi urged followers not to harm themselves as hunger strikes continued. Mojahedin urges calm as 17 face Paris inquiry
- Judges drop terrorism charges for lack of evidence - The New York Times reported that investigating judges Marc Trevidic and Edmond Brunaud dropped the terrorism probe into 24 members for lack of evidence. AP, via Fox News, said nine remained under investigation over financial matters, and Rajavi described the decision as a blow to a disinformation campaign by Iran's clerical rulers. France Will Drop Charges Against Iranian Dissidents
- Paris prosecutors close the remaining case - RFE/RL reported that the Paris prosecutor's office said all remaining charges against nine people close to the MEK were dropped and the case was closed. Maryam Rajavi called the decision a victory of justice and resistance over collaboration between France and Iran. France Drops Case Against Iranian Dissidents