Maryam Rajavi’s New Movements in France: Growing Controversy, Declining Support, and the Debate Over the NCRI’s Legitimacy

Internal Defections and Testimonies from Former Members

Another factor contributing to the controversy around Maryam Rajavi and the National Council of Resistance of Iran is the steady stream of testimonies from former members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran.

Over the years, defectors have described an environment that they characterize as highly controlled. Some have claimed that:

• Members faced restrictions on personal relationships and communication
• Daily routines were tightly regulated
• Leadership was rarely questioned openly

These accounts, while disputed by the organization, have been widely circulated in media and academic discussions. They continue to shape how external observers evaluate the movement’s internal culture.

Critics argue that these testimonies undermine Rajavi’s calls for democracy, suggesting that organizational reform would need to begin internally before it could be projected nationally.

April 16, 2026 | 9:38 pm