Paris Police Scramble to Block Iranian Opposition Rally

The NCRI, which serves as the political arm of the People's Mujahideen Organisation of Iran, characterized the police reasoning as bogus. Organizers claim they had coordinated with authorities for two months and adhered to all legal requirements for the event, which they anticipated would draw 100,000 participants. The police prefecture defended the decision by pointing to a tense national and international climate, noting a potential for violent clashes between opposing activist groups.

Suspicion regarding the ban’s timing intensified after a diplomatic call between French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araqchi. While the NCRI alleged the cancellation was a concession to Tehran, the French Foreign Ministry issued a formal denial, stating that the protest was never discussed during the ministerial exchange. The group is now challenging the prefecture’s decision in court, echoing a successful 2023 legal battle where a similar security-based ban was overturned. Meanwhile, other high-profile events in Paris, including a concert featuring Israeli artists, remain approved despite similar public security concerns, highlighting the selective nature of the current crackdown.