In a crackdown against Iranian journalists not associated with the
hardliners, the IRGC Intelligence Department over the last 48 hours has
arrested at least five journalists.
- Isa Saharkhiz, veteran journalist
- Ehsan Mazandarani, managing editor of Farhikhtegan newspaper
- Afarin Chitsaz, member of editorial board of Iran newspaper
- Saman Safarzaie, member of editorial board of monthly Andisheh Pouya
- Fifth journalist whose name has not yet ben revealed
Meantime,
IRGC Intelligence Department said today that the “IRGC recently identified and
arrested some members of a circle of media professionals engaged in a campaign
against the Islamic Republic.” (Press TV, 4 November)
The news
of the arrests came a day after IRGC Commander Gen. Aziz Jafari warned that a
new “sedition” was underway following the nuclear deal.
“The
enemy has started its work,” Gen. Jafari said. “We must understand the threat
of infiltration and prevent certain action,” Jafari added during an event
marking “Fight against International Arrogance and Imperialism Day.”
Hardliner
website Dana carried an article against the detained journalists entitled “The
Discovery of the American Infiltration Network in Iranian Media.”
The phrase
“infiltration network” was coined by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei in a speech on 17 August 2015, when he warned that the Americans hoped
to find “a way to establish their influence inside the country.” He added that
the authorities “will block them and will continue to block them in no
uncertain terms.”
Meanwhile,
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in a reference to the arrests, warned today
against “exploitation” of the supreme leader’s remarks on “foreign infiltration.”
File
photo: Isa Saharkhiz (Twitter)
2 comments:
Important to note that it is the IRGC Intelligence department that is arresting these journalists, not the Iranian judiciary, which is responsible for such actions. Gen. Jafari's warning earlier this week about "infiltration" was probably setting the stage for IRGC's crackdown against the journalists. No more pretense in following the country's own judicial procedures.
more ruthless repression and lawlessness from the vile theocratic dictatorship that oppresses the Iranian people.
the crimes of the regime continue and the lies never cease.
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